How to brake like a pro on a road bike: Improve your technique

Riding fast means you must know how to stop quickly. Here are the best tips for stopping like a pro

Robert Annis
Robert Annis Published: Jan 28, 2025
How to brake like a pro on a road bike: Improve your technique The best tips for a great breaking technique

Braking is one of the most important aspects of cycling, but do you put any thought into it other than squeezing your levers? Like every bike skill, there’s technique involved, and that technique is going to vary by location and environmental conditions. By getting better at slowing down, in the long run, you’ll actually get faster. Here’s what you need to know. 

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Understanding the importance of proper braking on a road bike

The faster you ride on your road bike, the more important braking becomes. This is doubly true for cyclists who race or partake in group rides. Grip a lever too hard and you can very quickly be at the bottom of a pricy pile of carbon and spandex. 

For racers, proper braking could mean the difference between finishing on the podium and finishing lower in the order. I’ve seen racers move up multiple spots in cyclocross races by braking before entering a corner, then letting their momentum launch them past two or three other competitors. 

Types of brakes on a road bike

Most modern bicycles have two options for brakes: rim and disc

All current Canyon road bikes come with the superior stopping power of disc brakes. A disc rotor bolted onto the wheel hub spins through brake calipers. Pressure from the levers squeezes the brake pads, slowing and stopping the disc rotor and your bike. Depending on which model you choose, your brakes will be either SRAM or Shimano road bike groupsets. (These are the two biggest component manufacturers in the world; learn how to shift gears on a road bike properly). The major benefit of disc brakes over virtually any other option is better stopping power, especially in wet conditions. 

Rim brakes were the gold standard until a few years ago. The brake pads are on either side of the rim; when you want to slow down or stop, the pads will apply pressure on the rims. Odds are, if your current bike is older than five years old, it came equipped with rim brakes. 

The different types of brakes on a road bike The different types of brakes on a road bike

Road bike brake lever positioning and setup

When your new Canyon road bike arrives, the brakes will already be set up, but you may want to dial them in a bit. The goal is to be able to squeeze the levers and shift gears easily from the tops or the drops. To move the levers themselves, remove the bar tape and loosen the strap mount. From there, you can move the levers up or down, left or right. To set the height, hold a straight edge on the bottom of the drops. The bottom tip of the lever should touch the straight edge. Repeat this on the other side, making sure the two are exactly parallel. 

To adjust the reach of the lever, use the small bolt on the lever body underneath the hood; turning it clockwise will bring the lever closer to the handlebar, while turning it counterclockwise will extend the reach for larger hands.  

Some riders prefer the brakes to have a certain feel; one guy I raced with preferred to squeeze the levers relatively hard before the brakes would begin to engage, while others wanted the slightest pressure to stop. Use the barrel adjusters next to the levers to adjust the feel. 

Be sure to give both wheels a free spin, ensuring there’s no brake rub and the rotors spin freely. If you feel the rotor rubbing up against the pad, loosen the caliper mounting bolts and insert the two edges of an alignment tool on either side of the rotor. Squeeze the brake lever to center the caliper properly over the rotor, then retighten the bolts while maintaining slight pressure on the levers. 

Braking on a road bike: Best techniques

When braking on a road bike, pros typically use 70 percent front brake and 30 percent rear. But most enthusiast-level cyclists should apply even pressure on the brakes. The front brake has more stopping power, but you also have a better chance of flipping the bike if you squeeze it too hard, too fast. As you gain more experience, you can experiment with using the front brake more.  

The fastest way to get through a turn? Whenever possible, brake before entering the curve, carrying your momentum through the turn, then pedaling as soon as it straightens out. If possible, be in the drops, lowering your center of gravity and increasing your control. If you must brake in a turn, avoid using the front brake, if possible, as a rear skid is easier to control than a front skid. 

One overlooked thing to consider: communication. Particularly if you’re riding with a group of riders you don’t know well or pedaling in a paceline. Call out when you’re slowing or stopping, preferably with time for the others to react. 

Perfect positioning for your brake levers helps you brake more efficiently Perfect positioning for your brake levers helps you brake more efficiently

How to use your body for effective braking on a road bike

In most scenarios, cyclists are in the so-called “neutral position” when riding – relaxed shoulders, neutral spine, bent elbows, your body squarely positioned over the center of the bike. If you must brake hard, move back in the saddle with your center of gravity as far to the rear as possible and brace yourself with your arms. If you used too much front brake, you may feel your rear wheel rise off the pavement. If so, put as much weight to the back as possible until you feel rubber on asphalt again. 

Braking downhill on a road bike: Techniques for safety and control

Chances are, if you’re descending, you’re riding at a greater speed. Look further downhill than usual, giving you more time to react to the unexpected. 

Keep low, with your weight slightly back, giving you more control over the bike. 

Don’t “ride” the brakes while descending. In other words, don’t constantly squeeze the brakes to keep you and your bike under a certain speed. This can overheat your brakes and pads and cause the pads to glaze. The lower friction means less stopping power. If you feel like you’re going too fast, ride in a more upright position, with your upper body acting like a parachute. 

Modulate the brakes when slowing instead of grasping the levers and squeezing hard. 

Brake before heading into a blind turn and stay in your lane. If you’re riding a lightly traveled road, you might be tempted to cut the corner by crossing into the opposite lane, but unless the road is completely closed to vehicle traffic, don’t. 

Braking in inclement weather: More techniques for safety and control

Wet brake pads and rotors take longer to slow, while tires have less traction. (Be sure to lower your tire pressure before heading out.) This is a dangerous combination. In wet and icy situations, it’s always best to ride slower and brake sooner.  

But if you have to make a more sudden stop, be sure to modulate your brakes as much as possible, putting slightly more pressure on the rear brake. The front wheel has a greater chance of skidding, which can cause you to lose control. 

Mastering braking techniques is key to riding with confidence and control. Whether you're tackling steep descents or fine-tuning your bike for optimal performance, these tips will elevate your skills. Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more road bike techniques and ride like a pro with insights from Canyon athletes! 

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  • Robert Annis
    About the author

    Robert Annis

    Robert Annis is an award-winning outdoor-travel journalist. As an experienced writer and sport enthusiast he writes content that is inspiring with focus on road biking. You might have read Robert's articles in Bicycling, National Geographic, Outside, Travel + Leisure, Inside Hook, AARP, Midwest Living, Sierra, Hemispheres, Departures, Lonely Planet, Afar, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, RV Magazine, and Hidden Compass.

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