How to maintain a moderate speed on downhill?

[mobi]

Even when I'm on a road with slight downward slope, the bike gains speed very quickly and I've little control over it

How can I maintain a decent speed on slope?

I've tried pumping brake few times, but as soon as I release the brake, it again gains speed.

 

[spandex]

its just one of tho's things

 

[domtyler]

Just keep up the pressure on the front brake. Adjust as necessary to keep the required speed.

 

[mobi]

You mean without pressing rear brake at all?

 

[dodgy]

Why do you want to slow down on a downhill? It's the best part of cycling!

 

[marinyork]

A good way of restricting speed is before the hill. Brake so you are more or less stationary before starting the hill, then the speed you will acquire will only be due to the force due to gravity.

 

[briank]

Instead of trying to find a steady brake lever pressure that will give you the speed you want, try "feathering' the brakes - very slight pressure to start with, brakes just touching the rims then increase the pressure gradually till you begin to slow down as much as you want, then gradually let them off again.
And while it's certainly true that the front brake has plenty of power to stop you on its own, it may well feel more stable and is good practice to use both brakes. Just be aware that your weight shifts forward when you brake and with little weight on the rear wheel to keep it on the ground and keep it turning it will begin to skid quite easily. This is doubly true on a steep downhill where your nose-down angle throws more of your weight onto the front wheel anyway.

 

[mobi]

I want to slow down because I'm still not an expert rider and I feel quite nervous when bike gains so much speed.

 

[Carwash]

I suppose you could fit a drag brake, like on tandems.

 

[bigjim]

He wants to slow down because he is not that confident [scared] just like anybody who realises that some idiot car/cow/tractor/pothole can have him off and scraping his skin scross the tarmac! Doohh. One good option is just sit up straight. Your body creates a fair amount of drag.

Jim

 

[Tynan]

perhaps the road surface is poor, wet, gravel

perhaps the road is narrow or twisty

blimey

 

[yenrod]

2 brakes not just one !

Anticipate for the corners not when your on them !

Ride in the middle of the road - **** the cars (if the wanna pass you, they can smash in to the one incoming when they're on that side of the road, overtaking you).

 

[fossyant]

Tuck your knees in, elbows, crouch down, shut eyes.....and go for it.....worry when you hit 60 mph...... sorry..

Just lightly pull the brakes.....

 

[Fab Foodie]

I want to slow down because I'm still not an expert rider and I feel quite nervous when bike gains so much speed.

Good sense mobi.

I would just feather the brakes too, both F + R. Learning to descend with confidence is an important skill to learn. Staying relaxed is key, weight back on the saddle too, do not hold onto the bars in a "death-grip", this is likely to make the bike "shimmy" or "speed wobble". Good idea to find a reasonable slope and simply practice over and over again. I've been cycling over 25 years but it's only in the last few years that I have taught myself to descend with confidence. I now have a very good idea of how much grip, lean and braking I can do. Last year I descended Mt Ventoux at speeds up to 50 mph and some serious braking to make the bends, 12 months before it would have scared me witless! So practice and build up your confidence, if relaxed the bike should be very stable at speed.

 

[jasper]

Be careful of braking too much if riding on tubs, the heat build up can melt the glue with dire consequences....