Rear Brake

Sub Skill 4 of 6

Why it matters

Stabilizes the bike, manages speed on descents, and is your safety net for wheelies and hill restarts.

Zero → Max progression

• Zero: one‑finger/one‑toe feathering while standing
• Base: smooth checks on easy descents without locking
• Applied: controlled wheelie set‑downs with a light tap
• Advanced: hill holds and pivot‑turn anchors

Principles

Cover the pedal/lever. Use tiny taps to manage pitch; avoid long locks.

Drills

• Gentle slope descents with even pressure
• Wheelie “rise‑tap‑settle” practice
• Static hill holds with clutch + rear brake

Errors

Locked rears on loose surfaces, stabbing instead of feathering.

Safety

Glance back up the hill before restarting; communicate with spotter.