People who run your rear break from your left break lever: Do you also switch your RD cable to the left shifter or do you leave the derailleur cables where they are?

Thanks

People who run your rear break from your left break lever: Do you also switch your RD cable to the left shifter or do you leave the derailleur cables where they are?

Thanks


yep, leave em. brake cables only.

There really is no way to change the shifters...the left will only move 2 places. Just run the cables the other way and set them up. It is much easier for barriers and run ups.

Also check cyclocrossworld.com. I think they have a write up on how to do it if you have questions.

how do you run the inside shifter? with your thumb?

I've got a question for those of you who switch and brake the rear from the left hand. I find that I use the front brake alot more than the rear, or at least I put more care into using the front brake than I do when operating the rear. Also, I ride 1x9, so my right hand is occupied with all gear selection duties.

Switching the rear brake to the left hand would mean that your right hand is responsible for operating the more critical brake and all the shifting duties. I admit to never having tried it, but I kind of like the seperation of tasks that comes with the traditional road set up. Anyone else have this same concern?

I have never worried about that at all. With the rear brake on the left lever, you can carry speed and slow down while still have your right hand on the top tube when coming into a barrier sections. This works best when you have the cross top brake levers though. I really do think that is the key though.

With the shifters, when coming to a barrier, at speed, you would want to shift to an easier gear so when you remount you can sprint out of the run. At the same time, you are braking with the free hand. I dont know anybody who can shift and brake at the same time. If so, that would be awesome.

It only takes a short amount of time to work on this. Plus, you will only make the mistake once since if you grab a handful of front brake, you will go over and could get hurt.

Try to find someone's bike and try it. It really does work and your brain wont hurt after riding it for about 10 minutes.

Good luck

sorry, you did not make note of the fact that you are not running a front derailleur. i know a guy who rides bikes and races motocross. he like to run his bicycle brakes backwards. granted he doesn't race cross. but, yes i can be done.

i had my mtb set up switched for a while, but i changed it back. i was running mullet (front disc, rear v brake) and found that during long descents through rock gardens my left hand would cramp up from using the rear brake. never had an issue the other way around. switched back and havent had a problem.

please, no jokes about one hand being stronger than the other. this is a family show.

I run my brakes reversed. As a motorcyclist for 17+ years it is a muscle memory thing for me. I do not race but at this point it's pretty well ingrained in my lizard brain that right hand = front brake. I use the front brake pretty aggressively (motorcycle or bicycle) and my right hand is better trained to finesse the traction.