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.

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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

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TonyMelton - Up, up and awaaaay!

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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....

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tomblackwood - Registered Nurtz

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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

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vivalargo
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