Single tracks, insanely steep drops, unknown terrain… Great places for a handbrake right? Wrong, if you’re part of the ninety percent that responded to a recent mountainboard survey entitled, “Do You Use Brakes?” This logic can easily be confused by a non-believer in the no brakes philosophy. Each of us have our own reason for ditching the brake but all seem to share a common theme, freedom.
Some mountainboarders avoid the handbrakes because they feel that they become too dependant on them. While there are many brake-users that feel they have found the right balance, there are also many who haven’t. It’s very easy to get accustomed to squeezing down on the brakes in order to stay in your comfort zone. Those who become a slave to their brakes not only forfeit their freedom but there ability to progress as quickly.
There are other riders that use brakes as beginners in order to learn the basics. This might be helpful to some but it’s more of a matter of how you view mountainboarding. If you see it as what the ninety percent see it as, then you might argue that the basics of mountainboarding start with the fact that brakes are not part of the package. To them it’s like fishing in a fish tank- where’s the sport in that.
Still there are others who feel that by attatching a brake to their mountainboard they lose a certain element of style. Having to battle with the cable as you crash through low brush or drop your stance. They feel that it robs them of the simplicity, the flow, and the thrill of the ride.
There are many reasons why the ninety percent choose to say ”no,” to brakes. In the end, it seems they just want to feel free. There’s something inside that tells them to let go and to ride hard. It’s not a wreckless death wish, it’s more of a plea from the soul to find oneself. There’s a very unique thrill to be found in depending on your skills and your instinct alone as you ride. Decide for yourself.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 am
Hi, I have just started mountainboarding and it’s amazing.
I don’t use breaks because I feel that takes you away from the simplicity of board sports.
If you want breaks, get a bike
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:37 am
We hardly ever teach people with a brake. We just teach them on easy grass slopes. A brake really does not stop you, just slows you down a little bit. So if you want to end up being able to do rad fast boarder cross stuff. take your tire pressure down and that will help you go slower, but it will teach your body how to properly throw it’s weight around to be able to do it at full tire pressure faster.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Brakes can take the sport to a level which non-brakes cannot, but yes its a different discipline. The challenges, and the terrain that should be ridden, are very different with a brake to without a brake. Infact the scariest days riding i’ve ever had was with a brake because the runs it opens up are so much harder and a brake is not a garunteed safety net.
Before classing them as an infringement to progression you need to see them used properly.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Good point Jack. While there are plenty of riders that use brakes improperly, there are those few that have found ways to successfully integrate them into their riding. Still, as you mentioned, it’s a different discipline.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I think for learning (especially freeriding) you should avoid using brakes. To me the point of freeriding is learning to ride the terrain, and manipulating the conditions around you to get to the bottom without falling off.
With a brake I don’t think you would learn to make the quick decisions to ditch it into the rough to slow yourself down, or learn to carve properly in order to control your speed.
However, this is just my thoughts and I’m still a newbie to the sport. I can see that having a brake would open up some pretty awesome runs, but like with any sport I think nailing the basics is important, and can only help you down the line.