If you’ve ever been in a paceline or group ride where everyone’s power is surging, one moment easy, the next full gas, you know how exhausting it is. You spend the whole ride burning matches just to keep the wheel in front of you.
But what if I told you there’s a pro technique that smooths out your effort, saves energy, and makes you that rider who looks completely in control, no matter how messy the group gets?
That technique is what we call the Front Brake Clutch.
The Problem: Power Spikes Are the Silent Energy Killer
When riders follow too closely or don’t anticipate changes in pace, they react too late. The front wheel drifts too close, and instead of using the brakes, they surge the pedals to open the gap again.
This “pedal–coast–pedal–coast” pattern creates massive power spikes.
Each one costs you energy and oxygen you’ll need later.
Multiply that over a two-hour ride or a long race, and those little bursts are the difference between riding strong to the finish, or hanging on for dear life.
The Solution: The Front Brake as a Clutch
Here’s the secret:
Instead of using your legs to constantly react, use your front brake as a clutch to manage your momentum smoothly.
Think of it like driving a manual car, you don’t jam the gas every time traffic changes speed.
You use the clutch to stay connected and maintain control.
Your front brake works the same way.
When the rider in front of you eases off, lightly engage your front brake just enough to maintain position without needing to stop pedaling.
This allows you to:
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Keep your cadence steady (no surging or coasting)
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Avoid wasting energy from repeated accelerations
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Stay connected to the paceline without tension or panic
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Control your line and maintain smooth, predictable spacing
It’s not about braking hard, it’s about using tiny amounts of pressure on the lever to regulate your speed while keeping your effort consistent.
How to Practice the Front Brake Clutch
Start on a gentle descent or while following a friend at moderate speed.
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Maintain light pressure on the pedals. Keep spinning at a steady cadence.
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Use small, gentle squeezes of the front brake to control your position instead of stopping your pedaling.
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Focus on feeling the balance point where the brake slows your bike just enough to stay smooth, not jerky.
As you get comfortable, you’ll start feeling how you can modulate speed without interrupting your rhythm.
That’s when it clicks: you’re no longer reacting, you’re controlling.
Why It Works in a Paceline
In a paceline, smoothness is everything. The front brake clutch lets you:
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Hold the wheel more precisely without drifting too close.
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Reduce surges and keep the entire line more efficient.
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Stay relaxed because you’re not constantly slamming the pedals or brakes.
When you ride like this, the riders behind you will love following your wheel, you’ll feel like glue.
Your power file will show fewer spikes, lower variability, and higher average speed for less effort.
The Pro-Level Takeaway
The best riders don’t just have power, they have control.
They know how to manage their speed and energy at a micro level.
Using the front brake as a clutch is one of those quiet pro secrets that separates smooth, efficient riders from the choppy ones.
It’s a small adjustment that makes a huge difference in how fast, efficient, and in control you feel, especially when the road or race gets hectic.
Ride smoother. Save energy. Stay in control.
That’s what CINCH performance is all about.
