So What Does It Do?

Brake Director™ at a Glance

Brake Director™ allows you to do with one hand what's normally only possible with two hands: brake both wheels on a bicycle. We call Brake Director™ the world's first one-hand power braking system, and the "power" part reflects the fact that Brake Director™ literally multiplies the force applied to your brakes when you squeeze the lever. This makes it possible for you to brake both wheels by applying the same amount of force to the brake lever that you would normally use to brake just one wheel.

The Brake Director™ unit is normally mounted somewhere on a bicycle's handlebars, and it can be connected to one or both brake levers. Because of its simple and robust design, the Brake Director™ component can be used on many types of human-powered vehicles besides conventional bicycles, including tandem bikes and recumbent cycles.

Brake Director™ inventors David Krafchick and David Hawkins

Could You Use a Free Hand?

The Possibilities of One-Hand Braking

Brake Director™ represents a great opportunity for anyone who could use a free hand on the road. The inventors' original motive for designing a one-hand braking system was to accommodate people with upper-body impairments, but Brake Director™ is a great choice for cyclists of any stripe.

Disabled Riders

Until now, people who can only use one arm have found it difficult to enter the cycling world. Brake Director™ makes it possible for people with upper-body impairments to ride with confidence. Brake Director™ units have even been supplied to disabled military veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project.

Bicycle Police

Few people would appreciate having a free hand more than bicycle police. Brake Director™'s small size makes it well-suited to police work, and it's been designed for quick response in a panic stop situation.

What's more, we're offering Brake Director™ to law enforcement officers and organizations for the discounted price of $125 per unit. And if you're a member of the International Police Mountain Bike Association, you can buy a Brake Director™ unit through their purchase program for only $100! For more information on either of our law enforcement promotions, just give us a call or email.

Beginning Cyclists

Braking can be a big hurdle for anyone who's learning to ride -- squeeze the wrong lever too hard and you get pitched over the handlebars! Brake Director™ makes the learning process smoother and ensures the safety of inexperienced riders.

Everyday Bicycle Enthusiasts

You don't need to belong to a "special" subset of cyclists to take advantage of Brake Director™, of course. Anyone who wants an easier commute can benefit from the easy one-hand braking action that this component allows.

Advanced Topics

Technical Details and Installation Information

Brake Director™ works by installing the output cable from the single lever to a varied ratio cam, which first gives regular motion bringing the brake shoes into contact with the rim. The ratio then shifts to a 2-to-1 multiplication of force, giving more than the the force of 2 hands to the brakes. This extra force creates increased sensitivity to brake operation. The cam operates a dual output differential which distributes 100% of the created force to the brakes via 2 cables. Each brake is thus supplied with more than the standard force of a single hand.

You can read the Brake Director™ installation manual here. Feel free to call or email us with any questions.

Click here to watch our Brake Director™ installation video.This video walks you through a typical installation. Watch out if you have a slow connection, though - this is a big file!