BREAKING THE MYTH - TRAIL BRAKING

You’ve probably heard it mentioned plenty of times, certainly in racing and track riding circles. But what is it? And, more importantly, should you do it?

So, to the first question, then: what is it? Trail braking is the act of gradually reducing brake pressure as you begin to lean into a bend. You are, as the name suggests, trailing the brake off as you tip in.

Primarily it is a technique used by racers to move the braking zone closer to the approaching corner, allowing them to maximise their straight line speed and carry it for longer. It also helps keep the front tyre loaded on corner entry.

That said, it is risky business. A racer needs every tenth of a second when lap times matter. They can also more safely walk the line between grip and no grip, with reduced consequences when the line is crossed thanks to run-off, gravel traps, and air fences. On the road, lap times don’t matter and we’re also facing lamp posts, fences, and other vehicles.

When trail braking the additional load can overpower available traction, which is why it is such a balancing act. If the trailing off of the brake is not correctly balanced with the increased lean angle of the bike, there is a serious risk of losing front tyre traction.

So, should you trail brake? On the road, for all but the most skilled riders we would warn against it on balance. However, if you are going to use it, a high level of skill, technique, and feel are essential. Skills that, thankfully, can be built up on our track days and in our BIKEMASTER courses.