Road Cycling · Public discussion

Proper Mounting Technique with Coaster-Brake Bike?

Started by steadicat · · Last activity · 9 posts · 511 views

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Road Cycling
Published
17 August 2006
Last activity
19 August 2006
Original author
steadicat
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9
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  1. What is the proper mounting/dismounting technique when using a bike
    with a coaster brake?

    I recently learned the technique suggested by Sheldon Brown (
    http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html ) for mounting and dismounting,
    but now I'm in a country where coaster brakes are popular and I'm
    finding it almost impossible to easily and elegantly stop and start.

    I usually put my weight on the right pedal at its lowest point while I
    step off the saddle and put my left foot on the ground. After this, I
    can't raise my right pedal to the position required to start again, so
    I'm forced to use the "shuffle mount" (pushing with the left foot while
    standing on the right pedal).

    Suggestions?

    Also, I realized that when faced with a bump or an obstacle I have the
    tendency to move my weight off the saddle and on both pedals (while
    keeping them in a horizontal position). However, with a coaster brake,
    this often results in a sudden and unexpected braking, which, combined
    with the oncoming obstacle, might lead to a very dangerous or awkward
    situation. Do I have very poor technique or are coaster brakes not
    suited for more "advanced" bike use?

    Thanks,
    Stefano J. Attardi

  2. steadicat said:

    What is the proper mounting/dismounting technique when using a bike
    with a coaster brake?

    I recently learned the technique suggested by Sheldon Brown (
    http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html ) for mounting and dismounting,
    but now I'm in a country where coaster brakes are popular and I'm
    finding it almost impossible to easily and elegantly stop and start.

    Suggestions?

    Put your foot on the right pedal, then push off on the ground with the
    left like a scooter, then start pedaling. It's not difficult. :-P

  3. landotter said:
    steadicat said:

    What is the proper mounting/dismounting technique when using a bike
    with a coaster brake?

    I recently learned the technique suggested by Sheldon Brown (
    http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html ) for mounting and dismounting,
    but now I'm in a country where coaster brakes are popular and I'm
    finding it almost impossible to easily and elegantly stop and start.

    Suggestions?

    Put your foot on the right pedal, then push off on the ground with the
    left like a scooter, then start pedaling. It's not difficult. :-P

    No no, totally wrong. Put your foot on the left pedel and push off the
    ground. ( Anyone for a refight of the little-endian big endian
    conflict? 🙂

    John Kane Kingston ON Canada

  4. John Kane said:
    landotter said:
    steadicat said:

    What is the proper mounting/dismounting technique when using a bike
    with a coaster brake?

    I recently learned the technique suggested by Sheldon Brown (
    http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html ) for mounting and dismounting,
    but now I'm in a country where coaster brakes are popular and I'm
    finding it almost impossible to easily and elegantly stop and start.

    Suggestions?


    Put your foot on the right pedal, then push off on the ground with the
    left like a scooter, then start pedaling. It's not difficult. :-P

    No no, totally wrong. Put your foot on the left pedel and push off the
    ground. ( Anyone for a refight of the little-endian big endian
    conflict? 🙂

    John Kane Kingston ON Canada


    You want to push off on the same side as your kick stand, usually left.

    --
    -------------------------------------------------------
    "Every day is Saturday when you're retired."

    Bob Burns
    Mill Hall PA
    (email is a spamtrap)

  5. John Kane said:
    landotter said:
    steadicat said:

    What is the proper mounting/dismounting technique when using a bike
    with a coaster brake?

    I recently learned the technique suggested by Sheldon Brown (
    http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html ) for mounting and dismounting,
    but now I'm in a country where coaster brakes are popular and I'm
    finding it almost impossible to easily and elegantly stop and start.

    Suggestions?

    Put your foot on the right pedal, then push off on the ground with the
    left like a scooter, then start pedaling. It's not difficult. :-P

    No no, totally wrong. Put your foot on the left pedel and push off the
    ground. ( Anyone for a refight of the little-endian big endian
    conflict? 🙂

    [sigh] That's only in the UK, Japan, and Barbados. ;^)

  6. John Kane said:
    landotter said:
    steadicat said:

    What is the proper mounting/dismounting technique when using a bike
    with a coaster brake?

    I recently learned the technique suggested by Sheldon Brown (
    http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html ) for mounting and dismounting,
    but now I'm in a country where coaster brakes are popular and I'm
    finding it almost impossible to easily and elegantly stop and start.

    Suggestions?

    Put your foot on the right pedal, then push off on the ground with the
    left like a scooter, then start pedaling. It's not difficult. :-P

    No no, totally wrong. Put your foot on the left pedel and push off the
    ground. ( Anyone for a refight of the little-endian big endian
    conflict? 🙂

    [sigh] That's only in the UK, Japan, and Barbados. ;^)

  7. steadicat said:

    I usually put my weight on the right pedal at its lowest point while I
    step off the saddle and put my left foot on the ground. After this, I
    can't raise my right pedal to the position required to start again, so I'm
    forced to use the "shuffle mount" (pushing with the left foot while
    standing on the right pedal).

    Use the back brake while you're stopping, with your right foot forward and
    your left foot pushing down. If your left foot is a bit lower than the
    right you'll leave the right pedal in the position you want for starting.
    There is enough time after stopping to take your left foot off the
    pedal and put it on the ground, and with the front brake still applied
    your right foot will support you. I wouldn't try this with toe-clips or
    clipless pedals, but I don't suppose that they are likely to be fitted to
    a bike with a back-pedal brake.

    Quoted message said:

    Do I have very poor technique or are coaster brakes not
    suited for more "advanced" bike use?

    My coaster brake bike has full suspension, so bumps are not a problem, but
    I think you're going to have to learn to stay on the saddle with that
    particular bike.

    Mike

  8. Bob Burns said:
    John Kane said:
    landotter said:

    steadicat wrote:
    > What is the proper mounting/dismounting technique when using a bike
    > with a coaster brake?
    >
    > I recently learned the technique suggested by Sheldon Brown (
    > http://sheldonbrown.com/starting.html ) for mounting and dismounting,
    > but now I'm in a country where coaster brakes are popular and I'm
    > finding it almost impossible to easily and elegantly stop and start.
    >
    >
    > Suggestions?
    >
    Put your foot on the right pedal, then push off on the ground with the
    left like a scooter, then start pedaling. It's not difficult. :-P

    No no, totally wrong. Put your foot on the left pedel and push off the
    ground. ( Anyone for a refight of the little-endian big endian
    conflict? 🙂

    John Kane Kingston ON Canada


    You want to push off on the same side as your kick stand, usually left.

    And I thought my reponse was weird 🙂
    John Kane Kingston ON Canada

  9. steadicat said:

    What is the proper mounting/dismounting technique when using a bike
    with a coaster brake?

    The one that works for you.

    I don't have any bikes with coaster brakes anymore, but my
    recollection is that I mounted from the left. I used to roll the bike
    forward until the left pedal was rearward, swing my leg over, put my
    right foot on the pedal, and then push off with the left while
    starting to pedal with the right.

    --
    Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
    Some gardening required to reply via email.
    Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

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