SLEDsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Like with any of your equipment, you should read your machine’s owner’s manual to familiarize yourself with your braking equipment. Your machine will have brakes that function using the handlebar controls.

Your brakes should never feel sluggish or sticky and if they do, there’s a problem that needs fixing. You should always check the brake lever before each trip. It should operate smoothly. Practice using your brakes at low speeds to get a feel for how quickly and abruptly (or slowly) they are able to bring the machine to a stop. Keep in mind that different machines operating on different types of terrain will respond differently to braking. Remember, ice, wet snow, fluffy snow and ‘snirt’ (snow + dirt = snirt) are all different types of terrain and you should expect your sled to respond differently when riding on them.