Yes, there is a difference of leverage. When braking, naturally the stopping power of rear wheel is small and easy to skid. When I was a novice, I was taught this way ; " Don't think to brake by the rear brake but think to brake by the front brake. The front brake is much more important and control the lever with greatest care. So for right-handed skilled rider ,the right lever should be for the rear brake. But you are a novice, your left lever had better be for the front. The most dangerous thing is too much stopping power in panic............. " I have not got skilled yet and my left lever is still for the front. Recalling these above, I think John's understanding has some ground. But I don't think it is very persuasive . I think this problem has something to do with the fact that Coppi or others usually used heavier tubulars for the front . To prevent the skidding of the rear wheel , I think they should have used heavier tubulars for the rear wheel. I regret I did not try to think about these things when young. Takao Noda Hachioji Tokyo Japan
----- Original Message ----- From: "John" <velostuf@qwest.net> To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Monday, November 26, 2001 2:35 PM Subject: [CR]Brake Reach Difference
> My understanding of the front/rear reach difference is that with a
> longer reach in the rear, it is easier to modulate the brake so as not
> to lock it up and skid the rear tire.
>
> I guess the idea is that the longer caliper arms are more noodley, (less
> stopping power).
>
> Wuddya think?
>
> John Barron
> Minneapolis
> http://www.velostuf.com