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Hand Operated Brakes
Hand operated brakes have a separate hand lever to operate front and rear brakes.
Front hand brake levers are located on the le side of the handlebar, and rear hand
brake levers are located on the right side of the handlebar. Hand operated brakes may
be used alone or on some models in conjuncon with foot operated brakes. It is OK to
operate one brake at a me, or all together, depending on your style, comfort, and
riding condions, however, be careful to pay close aenon to front brakes locking up;
If the front brake is applied too quickly or too hard, the front wheel can stop
turning resulng in a front pitch over or cause the bicycle to lose steering
funcon leading to a crash.
To best avoid this, apply the front and rear brakes simultaneously, while shiing your
body weight back slightly to compensate for braking force. As terrain changes, the
rider must pracce and learn how each bicycle will respond in a new terrain or weather
change. The same bicycle will react dierently if it is wet, or if there is gravel on the
road etc. Always test the brakes and be sure you feel comfortable with the reacon.
If the riding condions are too steep (o road for example) and you are unsure,
dismount the bicycle and walk past the quesonable terrain before riding again.
Remember that as you apply the brakes your weight will want to shi forward,
and the wheels will want to stop. See Assembly and Maintenance for further
informaon on brake adjustment. (Fig. 2.12)
BEFORE YOU RIDE
2.12
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