How to Brake in the Dirt and in Wet Conditions When Mountain Biking

Brakes will lose power in wet conditions. Ride safe and smart, and understand that sometimes speed is your friend.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bike Helmets
• Bike Jerseys
• Mountain Bikes

1. Make sure your brakes are working properly and that your rims are clean before every ride (see Related eHow "Inspect a Bike Before a Ride").

2. Understand that most mountain bikes have very powerful brakes - cantilevers, V-brakes and disc brakes have great stopping power. However, this power will diminish considerably when things get wet.

3. Realize that you're going to get 80 percent of your stopping power from your front brake. However, if you brake too hard in front, you can go over the handlebars.

4. Know that sometimes your brakes can get you into trouble. Brakes applied in the middle of a corner, for example, can cause you to lose control. Always bring your speed down before corners.

5. Understand that it's not just your brakes that suffer in the dirt and wet - tire adhesion is also reduced.

6. Choose the right tires for the conditions, as some are much better for braking than others. Buy front- and rear-specific tires for dirt riding and mount them in the proper direction (see Related eHow "Buy a Bike Tire").

7. Know that speed is not always the enemy. Crossing a streambed is often much smoother and easier with a bit of speed.

8. Don't skid. It's bad for the trail and lets everyone know you're an amateur.

9. Relax. If you're holding the bars in a vise grip and if you always pull on the brakes, it's harder to improve and get comfortable on the bike.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to ride with people who are better and more experienced than you are. Watch how they do things and ask questions - this is the best way to learn.
• Always wear a helmet when cycling.

Who Can Help Sponsored

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on 11/22/2005 When going downhill on a steep wet/muddy trail, move your body over your rear wheel while using the rear brake. This will prevent you skidding and losing control.

on 11/22/2005 If you have just gone through a muddy or wet trail, chances are that your rims and brake pads are wet and coated in mud. To brake, squeeze and release your brake lever in short bursts. This allows some mud and water to displace for better braking.