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PART 2
Brake Power Modulators
Section A. Important Safety Information
GT Bicycle Owner’s Manual
Brake Power Modulators
Your bike may be equipped with a brake modulator,
a device installed between the front brake lever and
the front brake to reduce initial front braking force.
(Brake power modulators are also used on the rear
brake of some bicycles.)
If a rider applies the front brake too strongly or too
suddenly, these devices can help reduce the risk of
locking the front wheel or throwing the rider. Once
the modulator device is bottomed out, the front
brakes have the same power, and the same risks of
overly hard use, as brakes without a modulator.
Modulators are a small help in giving a rider more
of a chance to react correctly.
Modulators are not a substitute for practicing and
learning to brake correctly. See PART I, SECTION
4.C.
WARNING
A brake modulator will not prevent wheel lock
up or being thrown off the bike due to overly
hard or fast or abrupt application of the brakes.
It is important that you understand modulators are
not an intelligent, sophisticated system. Modulators
ARE NOT anti-lock braking systems (ABS). Bicycle
brake modulators are not like ABS in a car. Unlike
automotive ABS there is not an intelligent system of
sensors and computer control. Unlike an ABS
system in a car you cannot just jam on the brakes
and let the system take over. There is no system to
think or act for you.
Some people, including sales people, may try to
explain brake modulators on bicycles by saying that
they are “like ABS”. This is misleading and
inaccurate.
We urge you to ask your retailer to confirm if you
have a brake modulator on your bike. We urge you
to ask your retailer to demonstrate how it works.
We urge you to work with the front brake lever
while standing still to understand how it works. We
urge you to read any brake and brake modulator
instructions that came with your bike.
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