by: Chris Juden, CTC Technical Officer

published: 2008-10-07

Back-Pedal Brakes
A brake that is simply operated by pedalling backward, by the strong muscles of the legs
rather than feeble fingers, is a most convenient and effective device, especially useful for
children (who lack the strength to pull a long and sticky rear brake cable, but quickly pick up
the idea of pedal forward to go, backward to stop). They’re common fitment countries where
bicycles are commonly used for transport – particularly in Germany. Coaster brakes, as we
called them, used to be popular in Britain too, but with the decline of everyday cycling and
with no use for such a brake on racing or mountain bikes, coasters have become a subject of
ignorance and prejudice in this country. Some bike shops will even tell you they’re illegal,
which is nonsense. It is no problem for a bike with a back-pedal brake to conform with British
Standards (a requirement for new bikes at the point of sale) and Road Traffic Regulations
simply call for two independent and effective brakes, without restriction on how they are
operated.
Recently, we heard of a client being refused cycle training because they turned up on a
bike equipped with a coaster brake. This must not be allowed happen. In chapter CT2 of the
National Standard for Cycle Training, back-pedal (coaster) is one of several different types of
braking system that instructors should know how to check and approve. Some otherwise quite
experienced cyclists may nevertheless lack any knowledge of this type of brake. There’s
nothing about coasters in Cyclecraft for example, so let us correct that omission.

What’s a coaster?
This is a kind of internal rear hub brake that comes on when the rider pedals backwards, so it
requires a snug chain (no slack) and cannot work with a derailleur. A coaster brake is often
combined with internal hub gears.
Unlike fixed gear (which is used on some kinds of racing bikes, so “experts” don’t
question its utility or legality!), a coaster brake allows freewheeling and operates with the
pedals stationary. It amplifies the rider’s braking force via a torque arm attached to the left
chainstay, so it requires less skill and effort (than “fixed”) to slow the bike this way. As long as
the bike has a chain on it: the brake will work – in any weather and without wearing the rim.
The brake itself requires little maintenance and is very durable.

Checking the bike

To check the operation of a coaster brake, position one pedal just above the chainstay and
press it down with one foot whilst pushing the bike forwards – as you would to check any other
rear brake. It should be easy to make the back wheel slide – even if you lean most of your
weight on the saddle! Also check that the torque arm is secure.
Some cycle training manoeuvres will require a different technique when the bike is
equipped with a coaster brake, but everything remains possible. In the event that a trainee’s
bicycle is so-equipped, the training instructor will need to know about and teach these
techniques. That’ll be difficult for someone who’s never ridden a coaster themselves, in which
case you’ll want to keep a copy of this.

Freewheeling
A rider will always favour one leg for starting: usually the right since we drive on the left.
Advise anyone with a back-pedal brake to use the opposite leg – in that case the left – for
stopping. Riders should freewheel with the cranks horizontal, starter pedal leading, brake pedal
page 2 Back-Pedal Brakes

behind. Thus they’ll always be prepared to accelerate or brake, with their stopping leg in the
optimum position for applying controlled torque.
Riders with back-pedal brakes should be encouraged to adopt this freewheeling position
and practice using their “stopping leg” at Training Level 1.

Starting
A back-pedal brake does not allow setting the pedal in the usual way. It freewheels alright, but
the cranks cannot be turned backwards. So it’s best to get the bike “pedal ready” before
getting astride it. Just wheel the bike backwards until the starting pedal has rotated to the
ready position. Then swing a leg over, etc.
Until a rider has mastered the stopping technique described below, they’ll often find
themselves astride the bike with pedals “unready”. The way to deal with that is to place the
feet further apart, legs well clear of the pedals, release the brakes and roll the bike backwards
and forwards – as far as the distance between saddle and stem may permit. Roll the bike
repeatedly to and fro and the freewheel will ratchet the cranks back around until the pedals
are ready.
This technique should be taught at Level 1, but will also be needed by more practiced
back-pedal riders, since an unexpected stop may leave the pedals in a random position.

Stopping
The following technique allows a rider to stop on a back-pedal brake with the pedals already
positioned for starting again. But it is quite advanced, requiring quick coordination and some
practice. It may be taught at the end of Level 1 training, once the rider has become proficient
in all the other techniques. It should certainly be taught at Level 2.
The rider should already be in the habit of freewheeling with the cranks horizontal, using
one leg for starting and the other for stopping. As the bicycle comes to a halt, the rider should
apply the front brake and relax pressure on the coaster, but be sure to keep the cranks
horizontal, maybe with the starter pedal a little higher. At the instant the bike stops, the rider
should grip the front brake really hard, locking the front wheel to prevent the bike from
moving forward at all, whilst he transferring his weight onto the starting pedal, lifting his other
foot off the brake pedal and putting it on the ground. Thus the rider already has his best foot
forward, on the starting pedal in the “pedal ready” position.

On the road
During Level 2 training, coaster-brake users have the extra facility to apply the rear brake
whilst signalling with either hand, ringing their bell, including whilst turning. On the other
hand, legs are less sensitive than fingers and it takes more practice to learn the gentle control
required to descend steep hills without skidding.
It also takes a fraction of a second longer to reverse direction of pedalling than to grasp
a lever, so emergency stops should be front brake first, as well as foremost.

Brakes and gears

If this brake comes with an internal hub gear: setting the pedals ready for starting is easier
(requires the bike to be shunted backwards less far and/or fewer times) if the lowest gear is
engaged. Bottom gear is best for starting off anyway, so select it whenever the bike is
stopped. (Hub gears can always be shifted when stationary, but it helps to ensure they’re
properly engaged if you jiggle the cranks and/or roll the bike back and forth a little.)
Some back-pedal brakes are influenced by gear selection: they work more strongly when
a lower gear is engaged. Riders need to be sensitive to that and be ready to apply more or less
force with their braking leg, depending upon whether they’re in a high or low gear. It is easier
to modulate a smaller force, in which case it would be advisable to shift a low gear when
descending a hill, especially if it’s steep or slippery.

Note:
Riders who do not have a coaster brake, cannot use and should not be instructed in the above
techniques – apart from freewheeling with the cranks horizontal.