tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post7059095390301739972..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Coaster Brakes: Yay or Nay?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-8389516756287947522016-07-23T20:39:11.289-04:002016-07-23T20:39:11.289-04:00I have a cool old Masi Road bike that I had a Stur...I have a cool old Masi Road bike that I had a Sturmey Archer 2 speed kickbab hub with a coaster brake laced to 700c rim. I found that a single speed had a big compromise , a low gear for climbing steep hills didn't work in the flat roads as I would spin out at under 20 mph. I also have a backup front brake if the chain drops or breaks. People ask me why I like a coaster brake road bike, I reply, it's fun without the dangers of a fixie. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65134463031246151692016-07-02T01:21:38.529-04:002016-07-02T01:21:38.529-04:00I heavily modified a "beach cruiser" bik...I heavily modified a "beach cruiser" bike and use it in some of the most demanding environmentso because with a single gear, no derailleur, and no lines to brake, I can put my bike through anything and keep going when other, more complex bikes fail. My cycling buddies didn't know what to call my bike; it's not a mountain bike, it's not used to cruise beaches so one of my pals came up with the idea and said "You put that thing through hell, and you keep coming back. Maybe you should call it a 'Hell Cruiser' ." My bike and I take a beating, and we lover every minute of it :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08966707111236241104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39444008484877757242016-05-22T23:09:01.491-04:002016-05-22T23:09:01.491-04:00You can learn to start with your other foot. The o...You can learn to start with your other foot. The opposite pedal is in what you think of as 'start position.' Takes some significant creation of new muscle-memory until it feels natural, though. fuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17862148545386361839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-8980971117016277112016-05-07T14:39:10.161-04:002016-05-07T14:39:10.161-04:00You know, there are now some coaster brakes(Shiman...You know, there are now some coaster brakes(Shimano Nexus) having up to 8 speed. So, they are not single geared anymore.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10319438600427133445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53379718413558248172016-02-25T09:41:37.765-05:002016-02-25T09:41:37.765-05:00ooops: I meant to say "if you used UP all the...ooops: I meant to say "if you used UP all the grease or oil in the hub"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11740755394283212822016-02-23T14:36:27.746-05:002016-02-23T14:36:27.746-05:00Weather is unlikely to have caused this..I have ru...Weather is unlikely to have caused this..I have run many "elderly" coaster brake bicycles in eastern Canadian winters for the last ten years without incident...if you used all grease or oil in the hub, you would ruin it regardless of ambient temps or weather..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-48296062353780747052015-09-18T16:33:28.220-04:002015-09-18T16:33:28.220-04:00One big problem with coaster brakes are winter-usa...One big problem with coaster brakes are winter-usage.<br />Otherwise both coaster brakes and hand brakes are fine as long as you get used to them.<br /><br />I would strongly recommend against using coaster brakes in sub-freezing temps. The components won't last long.<br /><br />You see, in internal gear hubs without a coaster brake, the gears are lubricated by oil.<br />In IGHs with inbuilt coaster brake, the whole thing is lubricated with a grease that can stand high temperatures.<br /><br />Use simple logic: will the high-temperature grease be ideal for low temperatures? Of course not.<br />So if you are regularly using your bike in -10 to -20 degrees celsius, the grease will work poorly, and your gears will wore out quickly.<br /><br />I once hade a Shimano nexus with coaster brake that started to work badly in it's first winter. At the shop they said that it was completely worn out and had to be replaced.<br /><br />If you however go with IGH with coaster brake, then make sure that you pull it apart and grease it often, like one time before the winter, and one time during winter.loahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958137700463523263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60140839204466233422015-08-29T12:56:40.681-04:002015-08-29T12:56:40.681-04:00I am now loving my 14" neobike kira with coas...I am now loving my 14" neobike kira with coaster brakes. Af first i am hesitant to use it but im now enjoying using it. Actually its now my go-to bike whenever i do night rides in the cities of Manila. My only issue with it is speed but other than that, I dont have any. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12036131812344348382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25698961393629961812015-07-10T10:47:56.931-04:002015-07-10T10:47:56.931-04:00My sentiments EXACTLY!!!! I could never get used...My sentiments EXACTLY!!!! I could never get used to the hand brakes and I would be trying to brake with the pedals and all that would happen is - the pedals just went round & round, round & round, round & round and there I would be - just moving straight ahead and never stopping!!! NO HAND BRAKES for ME!!!! I wanted & GOT a REAL BIKE!!! like I grew up with... YEAH!!!Lynda Loganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06204266180874931534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22535250375049322192015-05-12T14:05:13.000-04:002015-05-12T14:05:13.000-04:00With you entirely on this one. I've disabled m...With you entirely on this one. I've disabled my coaster and have two v brakes instead on pedalec. Starting was a nightmare.John Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03097063767624609964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-71472072159662537042015-04-21T02:44:20.703-04:002015-04-21T02:44:20.703-04:00I feel like getting to the bottom of these comment...I feel like getting to the bottom of these comments is a feat in itself! I came across this post as I recently bought a commuter bike to bike to work each day (a flat cycle, around 5km along the beach in Auckland, New Zealand) the bike has been fitted with a coaster brake and a front hand operated break. I love riding it.<br /><br />I learnt to ride on a bike with a coaster as a kid, but I have found it so hard to get into the right starting position AND stop in a hurry when dealing with traffic is near impossible. Auckland is considered the Los Angeles of the Southern Hemisphere and the city was built with cars in mind. Motorists are notorious for simply not seeing cyclists where many Aucklanders would love to cycle, but perceive it as dangerous. Even though it's a short ride, I feel like I'm taking my life in my own hands with every 15 minute commute.<br /><br />I was contemplating replacing my coaster brake with a hand rear brake (no weak hands here, tiny, but not weak) and as nice as it is to coast along slowing down and cruise up to lights and have my hands free, there have been two occasions already where I needed to stop in a hurry and found getting my feet into a position where I could stop, was really difficult. Luckily, I was able to yell loud enough at both drivers who had not seen me at all.<br /><br />I've found almost all of these comments so helpful, but I think I am more confused than before! It appears that it's personal preference and there are good points to both.<br /><br />I need both my hands to signal (and push up my glasses constantly)<br />I also need to stop in a hurry<br />I don't want to be tinkering with my bike, making adjustments, I just want to ride it<br />I ride a flat ride to work, so faster than 10-12km/ph<br />I want to put my pedal into the start position easily<br /><br />What's the magic answer for the above! There isn't one. I think more me, being able to stop quickly is going to have to trump this for me, unless an engineer designs a new brake or Auckland drivers suddenly start driving more considerately (like Amsterdam drivers), it's not going to happen.<br /><br />*sigh*Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07384678663447422147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23884976326259094682015-04-09T07:38:01.198-04:002015-04-09T07:38:01.198-04:00Coaster brakes are generally found only on city cr...Coaster brakes are generally found only on city cruisers where it assumes that the terrain is pretty flat. Coming from a long line of rim brake bicycle users I had confidence issues riding my cruiser at first, but came to love it and it feels very natural. My model also comes with a separate front brake for steep declines, however. I generally stop around half a metre to a metre away from the stop light line and if my pedal is not in the right position I just slowly push my bike along with my right leg to get it and get ready to pedal away.Jules Vernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02677161613329642386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3490129866723388032015-04-09T07:27:16.983-04:002015-04-09T07:27:16.983-04:00Congrats on your new bike and and sure hope you ke...Congrats on your new bike and and sure hope you kept at it. Front hand brake can be added to a coaster bike and generally added to the non-dominant side (right side for you).Jules Vernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02677161613329642386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1110110449507185242015-04-09T07:03:57.764-04:002015-04-09T07:03:57.764-04:00You've probably figured it out already (or sol...You've probably figured it out already (or sold off your bike), but...not sure how high you like your seat, but ideal seat height is at the top of your hips so at a full stop you put one foot on the ground while the other one stays on the pedal. If you didn't stop at the 'starting position' (I usually do), your dominant foot pushes the bicycle forward so the pedal is at the starting position and off you go.Jules Vernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02677161613329642386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70899751464400090162015-01-23T15:57:34.276-05:002015-01-23T15:57:34.276-05:00Lazy in Minneapolis:
My commute is short and fl...Lazy in Minneapolis: <br /><br />My commute is short and flat and I ride an old mountain bike with horizontal dropouts. I ride it all winter with as little maintenance as possible. I oil my chain about every... No, I don't really oil it at all. Powdered iron oxide is a lubricant of sorts, as is water. And I've broken a grand total of two chains. My rear cantilevers failed due to rust every winter, and now the posts are shot. I put on a coaster brake a few years ago. I no longer worry about rusting derailleurs and cables and adjustments. The handlebars are cleaner so I can install a windbreak for the -35 windchill days. I normally have a rim brake on the front, but this year those posts rusted out too. <br /><br />The big difference is fun factor. For some reason skidding the rear wheel is more fun with feet than hands, and winter gives me lots of opportunities. My goal is to someday get past 90 degrees (i.e. rear wheel swinging in front), but that takes a long sheet of ice. Slowing down I sometimes cycle the brake on and off, just because I like the feel. Coming to a planned stop is not a problem at all. You come up with a style that's comfortable for you and gets your feet the way you want them. Speaking of style, here's how I adjust the cranks at a stoplight: Lock the front wheel; push handlebars forwards to lift the rear wheel; step on crank. Way more fun than rolling forwards and backwards!<br /><br />For most people in most places, coaster brakes are fine. Is emergency braking relevant? In an emergency is stronger braking better? If you want to be safe plan ahead: slow down long before you need to stop. The one time I was hit by a stupid car I should have seen it coming, and brakes would not have made a difference. I've twice flipped over my handlebars with rim brakes. I guess I'd rather skid into traffic on coaster brakes than launch headfirst into it. I will admit that a handful of times a slip on ice has forced my weight onto the brake and locked the rim. Exciting!<br /><br />The drawback to going cable-less on the rear is gearing. I plan to buy a kickback hub next winter to combine simplicity with two speeds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-87750542938234856572014-12-28T13:21:59.516-05:002014-12-28T13:21:59.516-05:00For several years I commuted to work on an 80'...For several years I commuted to work on an 80's Peugeot BMX with just a coaster brake. I loved the simplicity of use and almost non-existent maintenance. The bike was pretty light, so when I was stopped at the lights I could easily hook my foot under the pedal and lift up the back of the bike to get the cranks in the right position for setting off. I'm planning on building a lightweight 26" bike with a coaster brake, but I'll have a hand-operated drum brake on the front as a backup. The chain never broke while I was riding the Peugeot, but thinking back to the speeds I used to go at, I shudder to think what might have happened.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86856229621250401442014-08-28T09:51:08.016-04:002014-08-28T09:51:08.016-04:00I have a question... I just bought a bike that has...I have a question... I just bought a bike that has coaster brakes... and I had never used them before... I know how they work... I now see going to a starting position is weird, but I think I'll manage it... my biggest issue is that I like having the seat high, but at the moment I don't know how I would do braking with the backpedaling and then suddenly getting up so that I can place my foot in the ground... How can you do that? or are coaster brakes meant to be used with a lower seat where you can place the feet on the ground while seated...Juan Camilo Garcíahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09575139429634920188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-34945617987576940632014-06-25T01:14:02.559-04:002014-06-25T01:14:02.559-04:003 and 9 is NOT an ideal starting position. For a l...3 and 9 is NOT an ideal starting position. For a light children's bike perhaps it is adequate, but for a full sized bike which may weigh up to 50 lbs plus any cargo, that is simply not enough to overcome the inertia, unless one is on a downward slope with a good tailwind. You might get moving, but slowly and with poor balance and control.<br /><br />An ideal starting position is with one pedal about an eight of the way from the top position (of a complete circuit) or 1/4 of the way toward it's most downward point in the circuit.<br />The slacker your seating post is the higher up you will likely want the pedal, the more toward 90 degrees it is, the lower you can get away with. I imagine in a recumbant you want something closer to 12 and 6. You want to be able to use as much of your body weight as possible for as long as possible and get a good long first stroke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49241155290588479902014-06-25T00:54:50.811-04:002014-06-25T00:54:50.811-04:00Oh what fun, trying to lift a 40-50 lb bike, poss...Oh what fun, trying to lift a 40-50 lb bike, possible loaded up with panniers, while balancing on one foot so as to have the other able to move the pedal...even more fun in a long skirt and heels. In short, what a stupid method...more brute than brain.<br /><br />If you have a front hand brake as well, you coaster brake up to the intersection and as you approach it you hit the handbrake as you quickly move the pedals round to a good position to restart. It's just a matter of getting the knack of the timing.<br /><br />If you flub it, or only have coaster brakes, you can A) brake early and use the extra space in front to slowly push and pedal the bike forward until one pedal is where you want it, or B) roll the bike backward a bit, which on most of these bikes will cause the pedals to automatically revolve backward, until one is in postion.<br /><br />No lifting, no twisting, no reaching under or around skirts or front mount child carriers looking like you're doing bike yoga or a circus balancing act in your dress pumps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40176870893279902542014-03-21T16:40:55.969-04:002014-03-21T16:40:55.969-04:00I just realized that most people won't come ba...I just realized that most people won't come back to check this site for a while. I'm going to bookmark it! Tiahttp://www.cortinafietsen.nl/utility?bicycleid=1439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30600884909124946592014-03-21T15:39:03.422-04:002014-03-21T15:39:03.422-04:00Bless this thread. I just purchased a Cortina Dutc...Bless this thread. I just purchased a Cortina Dutch bicycle (literally 3 hours ago!) in Amsterdam. I am bringing it back with me on the plane to the US, for a fee of $150. My group of international colleagues thought I was being silly when I said I was going to buy a bike before I left. <br /><br />I haven't even ridden the bike and it already means a lot to me. Buying the bike was a commitment to myself in terms of taking my health seriously. If you've never been to Amsterdam, go, because it really is beautiful seeing all those bikes parked across an entire city, each with its own character. <br /><br />I am most looking forward to riding in an upright position. As a woman, I anticipate feeling more confident as a new rider. I thankfully live near a bike path and have a great opportunity to experience an intimate personality change by establishing a health routine with my bike. I should totally give it a name :) <br /><br />I don't know yet, but I believe the coaster brakes will allow a deeper sense of intuition for me when coming to a stop. Not feeling safe going downhill however would be a concern. Can a front hand brake be added to a coaster bike? Also, I am left handed and want to understand which side would be better to place the handle. <br /><br />Love & Light<br />TiaTiahttp://www.cortinafietsen.nl/utility?bicycleid=1439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24859332331027147622014-03-06T17:49:35.792-05:002014-03-06T17:49:35.792-05:00What about coaster brakes for a 4 year old? My so...What about coaster brakes for a 4 year old? My son has been riding a balance bike for a year and is ready for a coaster bike without training wheels. We have a radio flyer bike that says "no brakes" on it and when i went to their website i discovered that means they are "coaster brakes". i was surprised Radio Flyer didn't explain what that meant on their website and I am so glad to find your website to give me more information - thank you! So my son turns four at the end of March and I would love your opinions: would this be a good first bike for him or would one with regular kid brakes be best? We live in Ashland, Oregon and ride most short distances around town and on the bike path to nearby parks. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!starnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-46326410376619607082013-12-06T21:59:34.571-05:002013-12-06T21:59:34.571-05:00I had a 3-speed coaster Schwinn when I was young a...I had a 3-speed coaster Schwinn when I was young and went everywhere with it. I have tried many hand brake multi-speed bikes since then, but just can't get the hang of it. I have a problem with coordinating the brakes with the peddling. To stop, I end up just jumping off. That could be a problem, yes? LOL. Anyway, I am looking for another 3-speed coaster brake and think I can once again have fun peddling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50332821125128403252013-12-06T21:55:20.735-05:002013-12-06T21:55:20.735-05:00I had a 3-speed coaster Schwinn when I was young a...I had a 3-speed coaster Schwinn when I was young and went everywhere with it. I have tried many hand brake multi-speed bikes since then, but just can't get the hang of it. I have a problem with coordinating the brakes with the peddling. To stop, I end up just jumping off. That could be a problem, yes? LOL. Anyway, I am looking for another 3-speed coaster brake and think I can once again have fun peddling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27353752931518857482013-09-29T13:17:37.579-04:002013-09-29T13:17:37.579-04:00Anon, I was confused by that post on left-right as...Anon, I was confused by that post on left-right as well. However, according to Wikipedia, "It is customary to place the front brake lever on the left in right-side-driving countries, and vice versa, because the hand on the side nearer the centre of the road is more commonly used for hand signals, and the rear brake can not pitch the bicyclist forward." Interesting!Rosiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03108325052142108505noreply@blogger.com