Wait, does everyone mount a bike from the left?

Mercian Pro

While on matters lateral, anyone know why bikes always have the drive (chainring/cassette/gears) on the right hand side?

Type 17

Mercian Pro wrote: »

While on matters lateral, anyone know why bikes always have the drive (chainring/cassette/gears) on the right hand side?

I'm presuming that, in the early days of cycling, the sprocket on the rear hub would be a right-hand thread if the drivetrain was on the right, and most people making bikes would have had tools/lathes for cutting right-hand threads on sprockets & hub-shells, so that became the norm.

tomasrojo

Interestingly, the chain is mostly on the left on motorbikes. This was explained here once, but I've never used a motorbike, so I didn't understand it enough to remember it. Something to do with the clutch?

tomasrojo

Type 17 wrote: »

I'm presuming that, in the early days of cycling, the sprocket on the rear hub would be a right-hand thread if the drivetrain was on the right, and most people making bikes would have had tools/lathes for cutting right-hand threads on sprockets & hub-shells, so that became the norm.

Yeah, makes sense, I think. Old-style freewheels screw on like a bottle cap.

Hurrache

Just checked out the family bikes here for braking while on the topic of lefty/righty. 4 in total. 3 are left rear, 1 is left front.

The left front is from those damn continentals, the other 3 are American and English. There's a 5th out of reach and I think that's left rear too.

CramCycle

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That was always my understanding of it (particularly if on a steep descent and have to make a right turn). Left/front just doesn't make any sense for countries who drive on left.

On a steep descent, I'd rather my road position dictate my indication to turn rather than letting go of either of the brakes

tomasrojo

My house:

10 yo's bike: left-front, right-rear (Pukey 3-speed)
8yo's bike: right-front, backpedal-rear (Pukey single-speed)

Touring bike: right-front, left-rear
Brompton: right-front, left-rear
Bakfiets: right-front, left -rear

I don't really have a preference myself, though I suppose I'm more used to right-front. All were bought here. I picked up the kids bikes from the bike shop before they were unboxed and assembled, so they came from the factory like that. Not sure why one has a left-front and the other a right-front.

Wishbone Ash

tomasrojo wrote: »

Interestingly, the chain is mostly on the left on motorbikes. This was explained here once, but I've never used a motorbike, so I didn't understand it enough to remember it. Something to do with the clutch?

Gear change is operated by the left foot on a motorbike so that's probably why alright. (Left hand for clutch, right hand for front brake and throttle, and right foot for rear brake).

rubadub

Right side drivetrains are rooted in the fact that rotating clockwise causes bolts, etc. to tighten—this dates back to the first "safety bicycles" introduced in the 19th century. With the drivetrain on the right, more (standard threaded) parts will be rotating clockwise and thus tightening themselves as the rider pedals.

Drivetrains are on the right today because that's what bicycle builders decided to do in the late 1800s. As to why they originally decided to put drivetrains on the right, it's probably because rear cogs used to be screwed on (some still are). Standard threads dictate rear cogs be on the right, so that pedaling force tightens the cogs. (If they were on the left, pedaling force would likely loosen cogs.)

Today, left-hand drivetrains are possible, but more difficult to create because more reverse-threaded parts are needed. Generally, things like pedals and bottom brackets have threads that are reversed/asymmetric on one side. They're made specifically to work when the drivetrain is on the right—tightening themselves as the rider pedals. If these standard parts are placed on a bicycle with a drivetrain on the left, then those same parts will be loosening themselves as the rider rides.

https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/5164/why-do-bikes-have-their-drivetrains-on-the-right#:~:text=Drivetrains%20are%20on%20the%20right,on%20(some%20still%20are).&text=(If%20they%20were%20on%20the,force%20would%20likely%20loosen%20cogs.)

swarlb

Seems to have opened up peoples minds as to how they use their bikes... I noticed one post where the cyclist favoured brake positions according to how he signalled a turn.
It got me thinking...
When I was growing up I never, ever owned a 'new' bicycle, no one ever bought me a bicycle, and I never bought myself a new bicycle.
Any bike I ever had was a 'hand me down' and even then they were well worn.
Any racing bike I had I built myself, either from a second hand frame, and other second hand bits sourced from fellow racers. Tyres were usually new, but even then, we'd leave them pumped and stored in attics or sheds over the winter to 'cure'.
As far as I remember the only brand new components I ever bought was a set of Campag brakes and a rear mech, bought sometime in the late 70's, and chains and sprockets, possibly a few different sized chainrings as well.
I've often looked at 'modern' bikes in shops and pondered over some of the components, I was never a fan of Shimano bits.... SunTour looked better 'engineered'.
Always Campag for brakes and gears, Fiamme or Mavic for rims, spokes always stainless steel tapered, Cinelli bars and stems, Regina spockets and chains, 531 over 753 etc...

CramCycle

swarlb wrote: »

Seems to have opened up peoples minds as to how they use their bikes... I noticed one post where the cyclist favoured brake positions according to how he signalled a turn..

I won't lie, I may have just justified it to myself after the fact but I will stand over it.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I'm right handed and mount from the left. I cant remember exactly which side I predominantly unclip on but I'm nearly sure its the right side first.

secman

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I'm right handed and mount from the left. I cant remember exactly which side I predominantly unclip on but I'm nearly sure its the right side first.

I always unclipp left shoe as im right handed too and use right pedal to push off on. Left cleat always wears qicker than right cleat (Look)

Type 17

secman wrote: »

... Left cleat always wears qicker than right cleat (Look)

How? - you didn't post a picture

woody33

Ok, I've just cycled down a steep hill, while I signaled a right turn it was good to have my left hand controlling the front brake.

swarlb

secman wrote: »

I always unclipp left shoe as im right handed too and use right pedal to push off on. Left cleat always wears qicker than right cleat (Look)

Does everyone wear 'cleats' these days ?

swarlb

woody33 wrote: »

Ok, I've just cycled down a steep hill, while I signaled a right turn it was good to have my left hand controlling the front brake.

How would you manage if you were cycling down a steep hill and turning left ?

velo.2010

swarlb wrote: »

How would you manage if you were cycling down a steep hill and turning left ?

Just keep to the left, whether turning while moving or coming to a stop at a junction, where you can then signal to a driver behind that you are turning left. My left lever is the front brake.

FWIW, I generally throw my left leg over when setting off - I'm left footed, right handed. Unclip my right foot when stopping.

woody33

swarlb wrote: »

How would you manage if you were cycling down a steep hill and turning left ?

Well, when turning left a hand signal would be less necessary, and I would not have to avoid any oncoming traffic that might suddenly appear. The road has a fairly sharp blind bend to the left as I was turning off to the right, while signalling to the car behind me. You with me?

CramCycle

For those of us who have a driver's license, and I suspect everyone else, we realise you can indicate left or right with one hand. It's part of the driving test but also something you'd figure out quick enough if needs must.

swarlb

woody33 wrote: »

Well, when turning left a hand signal would be less necessary, and I would not have to avoid any oncoming traffic that might suddenly appear. The road has a fairly sharp blind bend to the left as I was turning off to the right, while signalling to the car behind me. You with me?

Not really.... I'm just chuckling to myself at the amount of replies to this thread, and the obvious amount of thought that people must put into the reasonably 'easy' way to ride a bicycle.
Take for instance a father, bringing his son (or daughter) into a shop to buy them their first 'real' bike, so they can head off into the world and enjoy this simplest of pleasures.
The debate and thought that must go into it these days must be mind boggling... from .. "Da, eh, how do I actually get on the bike" to "But what if I want to turn right, I wont be able to do it on this bike 'cos the front brake is on the right"
God be with the days when all that was required was a half inch spanner to adjust the saddle height.....

I know I'm being churlish, but Jeez Lads and Lassies.... it's a feckin' bicycle...

What was that saying again.... "It's as easy as....?"

cletus

swarlb wrote: »

Not really.... I'm just chuckling to myself at the amount of replies to this thread, and the obvious amount of thought that people must put into the reasonably 'easy' way to ride a bicycle.
Take for instance a father, bringing his son (or daughter) into a shop to buy them their first 'real' bike, so they can head off into the world and enjoy this simplest of pleasures.
The debate and thought that must go into it these days must be mind boggling... from .. "Da, eh, how do I actually get on the bike" to "But what if I want to turn right, I wont be able to do it on this bike 'cos the front brake is on the right"
God be with the days when all that was required was a half inch spanner to adjust the saddle height.....

I know I'm being churlish, but Jeez Lads and Lassies.... it's a feckin' bicycle...

What was that saying again.... "It's as easy as....?"

I agree in principle with your point, but if we can't discuss bicycle related inanities on this forum, where can we discuss them.

I know what my wife would say to me if I tried to start a chat about which side of the bike I get on from...

Kickstands on the left is universal for bicycles and motorbikes. It only makes sense to go from the left.

Mjolnir

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Right side for me if I stop right foot would go down or if I walk with my bike I'd push from the right side. I'm left handed.

I think the 'correct side' though is the kerb side for motor bikes and horses are traditionally from the left side too as in yee olde times you may been wearing a sword on your left hip.

EDIT: Ha good thing I don't ride CX as I be shredded shouldering the bike on my left shoulder.

Motorbikes we mount on the left cause that's where our kick stand is and the lower side of the bike. I've had to mount high side because people are morons and its awkward af. You're right on the oldin time thing though something to do with the old way of mounting a horse.

swarlb

cletus wrote: »

I agree in principle with your point, but if we can't discuss bicycle related inanities on this forum, where can we discuss them.

I know what my wife would say to me if I tried to start a chat about which side of the bike I get on from...

You're right I suppose....

Here's a thing (ye'd really need to be over 40 to have ridden one when new).
It's fairly difficult, if not downright dangerous, to use the 'old man' approach to ride a Raleigh Chopper)... so, kids must have had to learn a whole new approach to getting on and off one.....and no cleats to worry about either.

Hurrache

I'm still sticking with the 'old man' approach being the best.

I do remember being a kid you'd ride any bike you'd get your hands on, there wasn't so much a concern for it being the right fit etc. Remember back to the Snapper and the kid who Colm Meaney, the bike coach, feared would saw his bleedin bollox off. The only way that kid could have got going was the old man approach. I used to take my dads bike and get going that way.

magicbastarder

swarlb wrote: »

It's fairly difficult, if not downright dangerous, to use the 'old man' approach to ride a Raleigh Chopper)... so, kids must have had to learn a whole new approach to getting on and off one.....and no cleats to worry about either.

like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIGhYMwRgs

tomasrojo

swarlb wrote: »

Does everyone wear 'cleats' these days ?

I don't. Same clothes on the bike as off, including shoes. I mostly use BXM-style pedals in combination with rubber-soled footwear though, so there's some additional grip.

woody33

Anyway, some well known hand signals:

nomdeboardie

swarlb wrote: »

Does everyone wear 'cleats' these days ?

Toeclips & straps holdout here :cool:/:o
(loose enough to get feet in and out without adjusting, but tight enough to allow a little pull-up on the pedals)

nomdeboardie

swarlb wrote: »

Not really.... I'm just chuckling to myself at the amount of replies to this thread, and the obvious amount of thought that people must put into the reasonably 'easy' way to ride a bicycle.
Take for instance a father, bringing his son (or daughter) into a shop to buy them their first 'real' bike, so they can head off into the world and enjoy this simplest of pleasures.
The debate and thought that must go into it these days must be mind boggling... from .. "Da, eh, how do I actually get on the bike" to "But what if I want to turn right, I wont be able to do it on this bike 'cos the front brake is on the right"
God be with the days when all that was required was a half inch spanner to adjust the saddle height.....

I know I'm being churlish, but Jeez Lads and Lassies.... it's a feckin' bicycle...

What was that saying again.... "It's as easy as....?"

Most of it's just retrospective musing about what we already do rather than overthinking from the get-go :pac:

Type 17

swarlb wrote: »

Does everyone wear 'cleats' these days ?

I use all three - my good bike has cleats, my three older bikes (70's road, 70's flat-bar hack & 90's MTB) have toeclips and my new bike (hybrid) has BMX-style open pedals (might go to toeclips if I don't like it).

Toeclips are a great best-of-both - you can just step onto your bike in street shoes, but you still have more security than open pedals.

crosstownk

swarlb wrote: »

Not really.... I'm just chuckling to myself at the amount of replies to this thread, and the obvious amount of thought that people must put into the reasonably 'easy' way to ride a bicycle.
Take for instance a father, bringing his son (or daughter) into a shop to buy them their first 'real' bike, so they can head off into the world and enjoy this simplest of pleasures.
The debate and thought that must go into it these days must be mind boggling... from .. "Da, eh, how do I actually get on the bike" to "But what if I want to turn right, I wont be able to do it on this bike 'cos the front brake is on the right"
God be with the days when all that was required was a half inch spanner to adjust the saddle height.....

I know I'm being churlish, but Jeez Lads and Lassies.... it's a feckin' bicycle...

What was that saying again.... "It's as easy as....?"

I miss being able to sit at the bar and discuss lighthearted, irrelevant but nonetheless interesting sh1te with like minded easy going folks.

So you'll surely forgive me for doing it here while the bar is closed.

Mc Love

I noticed today the side I get on my bike when stationery i.e. the left is different to the side I get on if I use the stand on the pedal mounting i.e. on the right

woody33

Ok, a quick post... I came across our local postman today, and lurked around nonchalantly as he got on his bike. I noticed it's post office supplied with hub gears and a step through frame. Sure enough he put his left foot on the pedal and stepped through! They don't make postmen like they used to.

nomdeboardie

woody33 wrote: »

Ok, a quick post... I came across our local postman today, and lurked around nonchalantly as he got on his bike. I noticed it's post office supplied with hub gears and a step through frame. Sure enough he put his left foot on the pedal and stepped through! They don't make postmen like they used to.

I read that in the voice of David Attenborough

Thinkingaboutit

I only get on from the right, but I am a citeog.

nomdeboardie

Thinkingaboutit wrote: »

I only get on from the right, but I am a citeog.

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