Specialized Tricross - rear brake

[DustBowlRefugee]

Whilst I've no doubt that the stock brakes can be improved on, I'm just wondering why you only mention the rear brake - 80%+ of your braking is best done with the front brake as it's so much more powerful and easily controlled with your dominant hand (presuming!). Back brake is more for steeper/longer descents and emergency stops.

Fair point for normal riding but when cross racing I try to avoid the front brake as much as possible, and never really touch it on wet grass or mud.

 

[DustBowlRefugee]

Fair point for normal riding but when cross racing I try to avoid the front brake as much as possible, and never really touch it on wet grass or mud.

Just read the original post again. Guess he's not entering too many cross races with those panniers on!

In which case I agree with GrahamG. Just put some Salmon Koolstops on your exisiting brakes and you should be fine..

 

[Comatosed]

I'd like some extra stopping power from my rear break on my tricross as well, im not 100% confident with the stopping power of the standard ones on it.... would be interesting to know what pads you went for and weather they helped at all?

A new cable and some careful adjustment has pretty much done the trick, but I've not tested it with panniers yet.

 

[Comatosed]

Whilst I've no doubt that the stock brakes can be improved on, I'm just wondering why you only mention the rear brake - 80%+ of your braking is best done with the front brake as it's so much more powerful and easily controlled with your dominant hand (presuming!). Back brake is more for steeper/longer descents and emergency stops.

I tend to apply both brakes, proably about 60% rear brake and 40% front.

 

[l4dva]

Do people not fear flying over the handle bars when using the front breaks any more??
From my Mtb days (never actually on a mountain though, just on mtb bike on normal roads) I never used to use my front break because of that very reason, now I have my cyclocross bike (that I only ever ride on normal roads again) I still dont feel confident slamming on the front breaks at higher speeds.

I have adjusted my breaks and still find the front breaks (trekto CR720's) much more powerfull than the rear (trekto onxy I think they are called). And from what GrahamG says it kind of makes sence to have a more powerful front if thats what people tend to use more.

Maybe I need to reassess my breaking technique!