In a message dated 8/26/02 7:27:37 AM Pacific Daylight Time, cbeyer2@volvocars.com writes:
<< Chris Qvale told me he sets up his bikes with the right lever operating the front brake, because 90+% of people are right-handed, and therefore their right hand is stronger. He opined that he thought it would reduce the tendency of right-handers to lock up the rear brake. >>
My understanding of the origin/adoption as standard, of the "front brake on the left" had to do with racing team mechanics. Any mechanic who had to service the gears of a squadron of bikes, would be mighty tempted to put the rear brake (to stop the rear wheel while on the work stand) in easy reach on the right side of the bike. That would be far more convenient that reaching through the bars to the other side. The convention of the left hand front brake may have predated multi-geared racing bikes, I don't know what the Randonneurs did in the old days, but my guess is whatever they wanted as there was no reason for standardization. Once the road racing crowd stopped being luddites about gearing, I'm sure the team mechanics wanted standardization, and since they assembled the bikes...If anyone has a better story, let's hear it!
My personal tendency has been to put the front brake on the rider's dominant
side unless they have a different preference. Like Jim, I'm also a
motorcyclist (right handed) and it's far more natural to pull harder with
your dominant hand on the brake that has to do the most work and has the best
traction.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA