[Changleen]

Just out of interest, which finger/s do you use to brake whilst riding?

I have always used my middle finger, because I find it makes it easier for me to keep a good grip on the bars with my thumb and index finger at all times. I've noticed I am probably in a minority with this, watching race footage and various videos, most people seem to use their index finger, but there are a few of us middle finger guys out there. I can't even use my index finger now, it just feels plain wrong, and the grip I have with the other three fingers is nothing like as good.

Any other middle fingers out there?

 

[oly]

Brake with Index, Shift with thumb. I save the middle finger for the drive home.

 

[The Kadvang]

Brake with Index, Shift with thumb. I save the middle finger for the drive home.

Hahah... word.

 

[T-Pirate]

I just hired Chuck Norris. He Brakes for me.

 

[chicodude]

Index finger, with the middle sometimes when I need the extra power.

 

[Potroast88]

brakes are for pussies

 

[Sherpa]

Hahah... word.

Word word

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Index finger, with the middle sometimes when I need the extra power.

Power or real rough terrain...

 

[Reactor]

Brake with Index, Shift with thumb. I save the middle finger for the drive home.

 

[Denny]

One vote here for the middle finger:

 

[COmtbiker12]

Usually index if I'm just tapping the brakes, middle if my I really need to stop, or index/middle if my sucky slider has given me arm pump and I can hardly hold on anymore.

 

[zahgurim]

I used to ride my Hayes with either my middle finger or middle and index, now I ride my Hopes with just the index.

 

[blt2ride]

Index finger on brakes, but I like to keep my thumb in my a$$...

 

[robdamanii]

I use my ring and pinky if I'm just modulating a little bit, and the index and middle if I'm jamming on them for some bizarre reason.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Just out of interest, which finger/s do you use to brake whilst riding?

I have always used my middle finger, because I find it makes it easier for me to keep a good grip on the bars with my thumb and index finger at all times. <snip>

Any other middle fingers out there?

We are in the minority. I use the middle finger exclusively. If it's a really long gnarly descent I'll throw in the index if necessary. I find I'm *much* more comfortable with the index providing grip instead of braking.

 

[caputo1989]

Its all prefference though I swich all the time to prevent cramping.

 

[ioscope]

I go back and forth with my right 'cos I've got rapidfire shi*ters. My left is a dedicated index though. Then again my HT has no front brake!

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

middle, ring and pinky finger

 

[Changleen]

We are in the minority. I use the middle finger exclusively. If it's a really long gnarly descent I'll throw in the index if necessary. I find I'm *much* more comfortable with the index providing grip instead of braking.

I think we're better than everyone else. :love:

 

[jacksonpt]

index AND middle

 

[TreeSaw]

I think I am an index & middle for DH (although I haven't been able to ride DH this summer so I can't remember what I do there) and one or the other for XC (I alternate depending on the terrain).

 

[McGRP01]

Middle and index on the rear brake, just index on the front.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I am switching to using my thumbs exclusively for braking.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Coaster brakes!

 

[Rockland]

Brake with the index finger only. Even for DH, one finger.

 

[Polandspring88]

Yep, its pretty much index finger all the time. I have my brake levers set in on the bar far enough so that the end of it is just perfect for my index finger. I find that I get maximum control that way.

 

[Wumpus]

Left hand - Index, Middle or Index/Middle

Right Hand - Middle or Middle/Ring

 

[BuddhaRoadkill]

I used to be middle finger, then I switched positions of my brake/shifter levers. Now I'm index only.

 

[RhinofromWA]

Index only for front brake and index & middle for the rear......Supposed it came from learning to ride "moto: style brakes when I first got my DH bike. Kept me from going over the bars (I did enough of that on my own....didn't need the brakes doing it to me)

Them Magura Gustavs were STRONG especially coming off of LX V-brakes.

 

[golgiaparatus]

Index finger or middle + index if I need so serious oomph… unless need to shift at the same time, then I use the middle for brake and the index for the go faster button.

 

[Changleen]

I'm a little suprised how many people use two fingers in these days of Hydraulic discs.

 

[ncrider]

Index finger on my DH bike and Fred Flinstones style with my feet when I'm on my beach cruiser cause I gotta keep the hands free for the beer.

 

[golgiaparatus]

I'm a little suprised how many people use two fingers in these days of Hydraulic discs.

Avid Mech here.

 

[Changleen]

Avid Mech here.

What, are you like poor or something? neaky:

 

[Zark]

Index only, even on long decents. I might switch to middle finger if I was riding w/ GWB

 

[MikeD]

Index, with my levers run so that I'm using the tip of my finger at the very end 'hook' of the lever. (Generally, that means running them inboard and fairly close to the bar, 'cuz I have stubby fingers.)

If you're running discs and feel you need 2 fingers to brake, IMHO, your levers aren't set up optimally, and/or you just need to practice 1-finger braking and you'll find it's a lot easier and less fatiguing, while giving you a lot more control of your bike.

I've seen pics of the middle-finger brakers, and it wierds me out bad to even think of doing that.

MD

 

[Changleen]

It's actually really nice once you get used to it, as your index and thumb have a great grip on the bar at all times.

 

[Skookum]

Depends which bike i'm riding and what trail i'm doing, but generally i use my penis.

 

[MikeD]

Depends which bike i'm riding and what trail i'm doing, but generally i use my penis.

Yah, I guess you just jam it between the wheel and the frame, eh?

 

[Changleen]

Works especially well with ice tyres.