Which Brake Extender?

jpcycler said:

*I hold the saddle handle with my right hand -- is that also the hand
I'm supposed to brake with? I noticed on the description of the Delta
extender that -- and this seems confusing -- the right-handed one
points left and the left-handed one points right. So which one is the
correct choice?*

Yes, you want to use the same hand that grabs the handle to control the
brake. As far as the delta levers go, I'm not sure there's a huge
difference. I originally mis-purchased...got the left-hand one (facing
right), sawed it shorter, and it worked just fine. Then I lost it. When
I bought the replacement, I couldn't remember which to buy, and ended up
with the right (facing left). After sawing it shorter, this also works
just fine. I think you can get used to either direction....everything's
pretty close together under there. I think I prefer the right (facing
left) a little bit more....the forces tend to want to make my hand go
right, and with the lever to the left of the brake handle, there's
something in the way to keep my fingers from slipping off.

Your point about the over-braking leading to UPDs is valid. Just don't
get going too fast and then deploy the brake. It just takes some
practice, and you'll get the control over it. Some tips: start on less
steep hills, and get used to pedaling while applying the brake. Then
work up in steepness. When approaching a hill, start applying the brake
before you get to the steep part, so you're already pedaling through the
resistance when the true steepness starts. And practice practice
practice. It does get easier.

--
tomblackwood - Registered Nurtz

Tailgate at your own risk.....

------------------------------------------------------------------------
tomblackwood's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/3762
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32619

I agree with Tom. I've also tried both and there's little difference
between them. (I tried to post this before, but the internet ate my
post).

I also thought that I would get bucked off by rocks when applying the
brake. that is until I got a brake and found that its really not a
problem. Tom kinda makes learning to use a brake sound hard - really its
not. You'll have it down within a ride or two no problem. Brakes are
great; not just for yr knees, but for extra control on steep descents.

-tony

--
TonyMelton - Up, up and awaaaay!

See some photos of the first 'NZ MUni Weekend'
(http://gallery.unicyclist.com/NZ-MUni-Weekend-2004)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TonyMelton's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/2118
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32619

TonyMelton said:

*Tom kinda makes learning to use a brake sound hard - really its not.
*

Oh, I can make _anything_ harder than it really is. I have a gift that
way....

--
tomblackwood - Registered Nurtz

Tailgate at your own risk.....

------------------------------------------------------------------------
tomblackwood's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/3762
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32619

Hey--

I have a KH24 with a Magura and don't use an extender. When gripping the
front of the seat, I just sneak a finger under the saddle and LIGHTLY
feather the lever. On super long descents I often have to change
fingers or hands, which get tired and numb after a quarter mile or so of
constant pressure on the brake handle.

If your rim is true, the braking is pretty smooth; when you peddle
against mild braking you can go as fast as you want with a lot of
stability. The brake is a big boon on super steep terrain, and on long
fire road type descents where you'd have to be backpressuring the
peddles for hours and working your quads and knees like mad.

On insanely steep stuff, you've just got to practice applying the right
pressure, smoothly, not shock-loading the lever. Start on lower angled
stuff and work steeper.

One valuable tip is to remember to keep peddling and applying some
thrust to the wheel when you are braking really hard, and to start
braking before the super steep section. Slamming on the brake is an
almost certain way to eat dirt.

Kris H. virtually invented using the brake for steep terrain and he
ought to chime in here.

JL

--
vivalargo
------------------------------------------------------------------------
vivalargo's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/5625
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/32619