Which right is right??

[Gonzo]

I've never had the problem of stupidly-mounted brake levers on my pushbikes either, and I've had enough of 'em! From the sh*t I found down back alleys to ?450 shiny MTB's.

[demographic]

Hmmm... I must be confused about this topic.  So overseas from the US, most BMX/MTB have the rear brake lever on the left side?  Why would there be a difference of position depending on where you live?

Dunno bout overseas from the US but like I said, all the pushbikes I have owned in the UK have had the rear brake mounted on the (as you see it when your sitting on the bike) left side and the front on the right side.

The only one's I have ridden that departed from this were a Raliegh Commando with coaster rear brake (you pedalled backwards to use the rear brake but the front was still on the right anyway and a mates BMX that had both front and rear brake on the left side cos he only has one hand so he changed it over himself.

[GDubb]

Hmmm... I must be confused about this topic.  So overseas from the US, most BMX/MTB have the rear brake lever on the left side?  Why would there be a difference of position depending on where you live?

I have ridden BMX bikes since I was 5 Y/O.  I raced BMX for a time until a serious injury.  I also rode MTB's for awhile.  They have always had the rear brake on the right side.  I have also ridden motorcycles since I was 7 Y/O.  I personally have never had a problem switching between the two.

Remember the bicycles that had the foot brake where you just pushed back on the crank and it engaged the brake?  I guess since I was dominant right footed that I always used my right foot to brake.  So when my bikes went to rear caliper type brakes it only made sense to stay dominant right side.  Maybe its more of a right/left dominant thing?  I rode motorcycles and bicycles at the some time with opposite mounted levers and never thought about it until this topic.  Very interesting.

Sly

Same boat here.... never even had to think about it until this topic but it does make sense that some people would have issues with it.  I also started on bmx bikes with the pedal brake and I think thats helps with the rear brake in the motorcycle... its second nature.  I also use the clutch EVERY time I shift my KX so I never forget the relationship between the levers and their function.

[Danger4u2]

  Same here...never even had to think about it until this topic.  21 speed Mtn. bike and a 5 speed cruser both have back brake on the correct side... right.

[gowen]

the 1 up and 5 down. I moved my street bike to that pattern shifting as of recently. When riding curvy roads and what have you, it really helps to be able to shift without having to wedge my good under the shifter all the time. As for a dirtbike.... I don't understand the logic as it makes you feel more in control with your foot under the shifter while sliding a berm.

[demographic]

the 1 up and 5 down. I moved my street bike to that pattern shifting as of recently. When riding curvy roads and what have you, it really helps to be able to shift without having to wedge my good under the shifter all the time. As for a dirtbike.... I don't understand the logic as it makes you feel more in control with your foot under the shifter while sliding a berm.

I used to own a Yamaha FS1E (otherwise known as a Fizzy) that had four gears, all down with neutral at the top, that was a bizzare little bike.

[Timbowe]

I changed the gear change on the Ducati for the race track. Took the linkage off and went a straight lever off the shaft. That changed it to the 1 up 5 down scenario. Great for left handers when your coming out of the corner and want to change up mid corner. Saves the boots getting hammered on the ground because you have to stick the toe underneath the stick. As it was both levers  and the footpegs were scraping the tarmac. Knee sliders are a great invention. Like a third wheel.

[alan]

Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right
What!

One of my best race days was in the early 70?s I was racing for one of the local dealers that sold both Yamaha and Bultaco bikes. So I was riding a 250 Pursang in the 250 class right hand shift and a 360MX Yamaha in the open class left hand shift. When I came in from the 250 moto someone was waiting on the line with the Yamaha all warmed up for me. The problem was when I hit the first corner I would be jumping up and down on the shifter instead of the brake.  I did pick up 2 trophies that day 1st in the 250 class and 2nd in the open class.