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Bicycle accident
"Crash over the handlebars" caused by a blocking front wheel brake /a-e

Synopsis: Basic statements


1.   Modern front wheel brakes decelerate much harder (up to ca. 10 m/s^2 in a test facility) than the configuration "standard bike + rider" can withstand (ca. 5 m/s^2).
2.   Though if a cyclist brakes harder than that, he will topple over to the front and he will crash on his face, his ellbow etc. or even come to death.
3.   The max. brake power has to be limited *) in a way that the bicycle will not topple over to the front.
3.1. Many cyclists do not use the front wheel brake or they use it hesitatingly. But doing so they may rush into destruction!
3.2. If you practise braking you may get the ability to loosen the brake in time, if an upswing of the rear wheel occurs; but:
-- "If in danger even a trained cyclist brakes too hard!"
--  Braking with a slipping or lifted rear wheel has a lot of disadvantages.
-- "My Grandma" refuses to practise braking under those unstable conditions.
3.3. The brake has a fixed limit. Here a light driver may topple over to the front and a heavy one may not be able to stop in time.
3.4. A mech. stop for the brake handle limits the brake power. It requires regular adjustment.
3.5. A front wheel Anti-Blocking-System controls automatically the brake power. This is the best solution!
3.6. The system change to a push bike (recumbent) lowers the danger of toppling over to the front.
4. As a minimum dealers and producers (in the operation manual) should inform their customers in detail.
5. It cannot be true that producers deliver brakes to the market, which should prevent accidents -- and cause one!
6. The missing of a techn. brake power limitation is a real design fault.

*) A brake power limitation does not reduce braking performance! It prevents toppling over to the front. This is the highest safe brake power!
oben     Contact: Bicycle tips
Last change: 12th November 2006
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