braking by reversing the pedals

[DMITRII TSAPLIN]

On modern bicycles, switching speeds is frustrating.
Improved braking by the rear wheel drum was implemented on bicycles of the Soviet Union 'Salut-s', 'kama', 'desna'.
It allowed you to drift on the gravel.

[Puppershep]

(04-02-2025, 01:00 PM)DMITRII TSAPLIN Wrote:  On modern bicycles, switching speeds is frustrating.
Improved braking by the rear wheel drum was implemented on bicycles of the Soviet Union 'Salut-s', 'kama', 'desna'.
It allowed you to drift on the gravel.

here's a history lesson the COASTER Brake.
https://www.dougbarnesauthor.com/2018/05/a-short-history-of-bicycle-coaster-brake.html

and switching speeds makes the bike capable of going much faster.

here's some history of the first MTB racers, and the bikes they rode... the first ones used Coaster Brakes, but they frequently OVER-HEAT on long downhills, so the race became known as "The Repack" since the grease literally melts out of the Coaster Brakes ....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repack_(mountain_bike_race)

[DMITRII TSAPLIN]

Bicycle gear shifting is made for chagrin.
The drum brake of the Salut-s rear wheel is very high-quality, I owned such a bike.

[Jake1]

(04-04-2025, 10:15 AM)DMITRII TSAPLIN Wrote:  Bicycle gear shifting is made for chagrin.
The drum brake of the Salut-s rear wheel is very high-quality, I owned such a bike.

There is no correlation between a bike's quality and the fact that it uses a specific brake over another braking type (excepting if the brake system(s)/other components are of poor quality in design, durability, and function). Brakes are installed for the designed use of a bike, price range, and its marketing.
Nothing wrong with a rear brake be it roller/rod, drum, coaster, rim, or disc; but regardless of the type, a front brake is the most efficient means off slowing/stopping.

[DMITRII TSAPLIN]

The rear brake was activated by pressing the pedal in the opposite direction, then the velobike drifted.

[meamoantonio]

there's a proper term for this in mountain biking its just at the tip of my tongue haha

[Flowrider]

I bought a cruiser bike that had a pedal brake. It was actually so frustrating! For me, it messed up my rhythm. For others, I guess this system is fine.

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

This is called a coaster brake.

They're still in use today. Coaster brakes were the center of original mountain biking which got its start in California by the title Clunkering. Cult fans would take old Schwinn bikes and other older big tire commuter bikes with coaster brakes and they would race them downhill.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repack_(mountain_bike_race)

Typically, you'll only see coaster brakes on commuters like this, beach cruisers, and they're popular with children's bikes as well.

[DMITRII TSAPLIN]

Exists two-speed planetary hub with a coaster brake(SRAM AUTOMATIX). It automatically shifts to higher gear at speeds above 20 km/h.

But all modern bicycles have multiple gears.
   

[Jesper]

(07-19-2026, 09:16 PM)DMITRII TSAPLIN Wrote:  Exists two-speed planetary hub with a coaster brake(SRAM AUTOMATIX). It automatically shifts to higher gear at speeds above 20 km/h.

But all modern bicycles have multiple gears.

Shimano has had an automatic shifting IGH for decades. Mine is a Nexus 3 speed (c. 2005); but Shimano had earlier auto-shift IGH hubs than the Nexus.

[DMITRII TSAPLIN]

Yes, but all versions of bikes come with a mechanical drivetrain. Even premium ones, It’s disappointing.