Any way to make brake levers accessible from bar ends?

Trentus said:

The subject pretty much says it all. I find holding the bar ends far more comfortable, and much
greater control. I just can't control my SPEED while holding the bar ends, as I can't reach the
brake levers. So for decents etc. where I want best control but also need brakes, I have to
sacrifice some control by holding the handlebars direct instead so I can reach the brakes.

Hanging on to the bar ends whilst descending is not such a good idea. You're moving your body
position further forward, in a situation where your weight should be further back. Ideally, I think
you need to assess why you find it more comfortable to rest on the bar ends, and then adjust your
stem / bar accordingly. Is it because they're wider? Is it because they're higher?

You used to be able to get extensions to the brake levers many years ago, for this sort of purpose.
However, that was in the days of three-fingered brake levers. In addition to this, their (lack of)
success in the market place means that they're no longer available.

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Trentus said:

The subject pretty much says it all.

Why are you on bar ends while descending? <G>

Bar ends are designed to help move weight forward, as on steep climbs. If your hands are that
uncomfortable on the bars, perhaps you need a bike that fits?

Barry

Trentus <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The subject pretty much says it all. I find holding the bar ends far more comfortable, and
much greater

control.

Quoted message said:

I just can't control my SPEED while holding the bar ends, as I can't reach the brake levers. So
for decents etc. where I want best control but also need brakes, I have to sacrifice some control
by holding the handlebars direct instead

so

Quoted message said:

I can reach the brakes.

Any suggestions? The handlebar grips don't easily allow for me to move the levers closer (though I
haven't fully investigated this option, and that would also preclude ever being

able

Quoted message said:

to hold the handlebars and limit me to ONLY the bar ends which isn't ideal.

Ideal would be some alternate brake levers, or extensions to the existing levers, maybe operated
by just one or two fingers, that can be accessed from the bar

ends.

I must echo Barry and Bomba's comments here - riding downhill holding the bar ends isn't a good
idea. Even if you manage to position your weight correctly, the change in leverage/angle of strain
on muscle groups involved in control will likely reduce your ability to steer.

Shaun aRe

On Mon, 3 Feb 2003 20:53:26 +1100, "Trentus" <[email hidden]> blathered:

Quoted message said:

I find holding the bar ends far more comfortable, and much greater control. I just can't control my
SPEED while holding the bar ends, as I can't reach the brake levers. So for decents etc. where I
want best control but also need brakes, I have to sacrifice some control by holding the handlebars
direct instead so I can reach the brakes.

Any suggestions?

Dr Dew, where are you?

Pete
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"Trentus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The subject pretty much says it all. I find holding the bar ends far more comfortable, and
much greater

control.

Quoted message said:

I just can't control my SPEED while holding the bar ends, as I can't reach the brake levers. So
for decents etc. where I want best control but also need brakes, I have to sacrifice some control
by holding the handlebars direct instead

so

Quoted message said:

I can reach the brakes.

Any suggestions? The handlebar grips don't easily allow for me to move the levers closer (though I
haven't fully investigated this option, and that would also preclude ever being

able

Quoted message said:

to hold the handlebars and limit me to ONLY the bar ends which isn't ideal.

Ideal would be some alternate brake levers, or extensions to the existing levers, maybe operated
by just one or two fingers, that can be accessed from the bar

ends.

Quoted message said:

How about something like this:

nashbar.comprofile.cfmOpen ↗ oretype=&estoreid=

"Trentus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| The subject pretty much says it all. I find holding the bar ends far more comfortable, and
| much greater
control.
| I just can't control my SPEED while holding the bar ends, as I can't reach the brake levers. So
| for decents etc. where I want best control but also need brakes, I have to sacrifice some control
| by holding the handlebars direct instead
so
| I can reach the brakes.
|
| Any suggestions? The handlebar grips don't easily allow for me to move the levers closer (though I
| haven't fully investigated this option, and that would also preclude ever being
able
| to hold the handlebars and limit me to ONLY the bar ends which isn't ideal.
|
| Ideal would be some alternate brake levers, or extensions to the existing levers, maybe operated
| by just one or two fingers, that can be accessed from the bar
ends.

Poke around older, established bike shops. There used to be some extensions you could add to
the tips of aluminum brake levers. You might run into a bit of trouble with the shorter levers
these days.

One company went so far as to make a lever with these extensions built in, but I don't think they
caught on and they would not work with V-brakes or disks anyhow.

---
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Release Date: 1/27/2003

bomba <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Trentus said:

The subject pretty much says it all. I find holding the bar ends far more comfortable, and much
greater control. I just can't control my SPEED while holding the bar ends, as I can't reach the
brake levers. So for decents etc. where I want best control but also need brakes, I have to
sacrifice some control by holding the handlebars direct instead so I can reach the brakes.

Hanging on to the bar ends whilst descending is not such a good idea. You're moving your body
position further forward, in a situation where your weight should be further back. Ideally, I
think you need to assess why you find it more comfortable to rest on the bar ends, and then adjust
your stem / bar accordingly. Is it because they're wider? Is it because they're higher?

You used to be able to get extensions to the brake levers many years ago, for this sort of
purpose. However, that was in the days of three-fingered brake levers. In addition to this, their
(lack of) success in the market place means that they're no longer available.

Right. Ever consider trying drop bars? I don't personally recommend it for offroad, but I've seen
it done. /s

Ground Control© said:

One company went so far as to make a lever with these extensions built in, but I don't think they
caught on and they would not work with V-brakes or disks anyhow.

They probably didn't catch on because going downhill with your weight forward is a bad idea. <G>

Barry

supabonbon said:

Right. Ever consider trying drop bars? I don't personally recommend it for offroad, but I've seen
it done. /s

It's even got a name! Cyclocross!

Barry

"B a r r y B u r k e J r ." <"keep it in the newsgroup "@thankyou.com> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
| supabonbon wrote:
| >
| > Right. Ever consider trying drop bars? I don't personally recommend it for offroad, but I've
| > seen it done. /s
|
| It's even got a name! Cyclocross!
|
| Barry

LMAO damn you beat me to it

Simon

B a r r y B u r k e J r . said:

Ground Control© said:

One company went so far as to make a lever with these extensions built in, but I don't think
they caught on and they would not work with V-brakes or disks anyhow.

They probably didn't catch on because going downhill with your weight forward is a bad idea. <G>

Barry

Sometimes you need brakes going up hill too. I was riding with a few guys that I'd never ridden with
this past Saturday and while climbing some of them didn't seem to keep a very consistent pace.
Several times while on the bar ends I had to reach for the brakes to avoid a collision. A couple of
times I hit their rear tire with my front because I could not slow down quickly enough when I
stopped pedaling.

That said, I'm not looking for a solution to the problem.

Quoted message said:

One company went so far as to make a lever with these extensions built in, but I don't think they
caught on and they would not work with V-brakes or disks anyhow.

Why wouldn't they work with V or disks?

And for further clarification, my bike shop insists I need to shorten my - what used to be called a
gooseneck? - but I already feel like my handlebars are waaay to close to me, I want them further
away, not closer. Thus I do almost ALL my riding on the barends, up hill, downhill, and flats. Hence
the desire to move my brake levers to where they can be reached. My weight is WELL back, despite
this, as I have my balls riding just mm above the tyre as it is. Hit the brakes and they'll either
hit the seat - ouch, or they'll hit the tyre - ouch again.

Yes I feel the bike doesn't fit, but it's the one the LBS fitted to me, they reckon it's the right
fit, but it doesn't feel like it sometimes.

Oh well, thems the breaks. Mind you, this LBS sometimes makes me wonder if they know what the hell
they're doing, then other times they seem to be excellent. I've basically decided to limit all my
dealings to the one staff member there who seems to be really well plugged in. And he even rides
professionally for the people who make my bike - Merida. They must think highly of him, they gave
him two bikes worth over $12,000 for free. And he certainly seems to know what he's talking about
with all my dealings with him. It's just the other staff there that I have doubts about.

Trentus

Trentus said:

Quoted message said:

One company went so far as to make a lever with these extensions built in, but I don't think they
caught on and they would not work with V-brakes or disks anyhow.

Why wouldn't they work with V or disks?

Cable pull?

Quoted message said:

And for further clarification, my bike shop insists I need to shorten my - what used to be called
a gooseneck?

You mean a 'stem'. Why does your bike shop insist you shorten your stem? There are advantages (and
disadvantages) to using a shorter stem, but I'd be interested to know their arguments in light of:

- but I already feel like my handlebars

Quoted message said:

are waaay to close to me, I want them further away, not closer.

Have you told the LBS this?

Quoted message said:

Thus I do almost ALL my riding on the barends, up hill, downhill, and flats. Hence the desire to
move my brake levers to where they can be reached. My weight is WELL back, despite this, as I have
my balls riding just mm above the tyre as it is. Hit the brakes and they'll either hit the seat -
ouch, or they'll hit the tyre - ouch again.

Then it sounds like your bike is the wrong size. The cockpit appears to be too cramped. JOOI, what
size are you, and what size is the bike?

Quoted message said:

Yes I feel the bike doesn't fit, but it's the one the LBS fitted to me, they reckon it's the right
fit, but it doesn't feel like it sometimes.

Then there's a chance the LBS doesn't know what it's doing. Of course, perhaps you just prefer a
laid out position...

Possible solutions: Brake lever extensions aren't your answer - you need to extend the bar / saddle
distance. Try a longer flatter stem. What size is your current stem? A 120mm with a 5 deg rise
should be about the limit. Similarly, have a look for a layback seat post.

Of course, these are temporary measures and really just a precursor to the real advice that you
don't want to hear...

<whisper> You probably need a bike that fits you </whisper>

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"B a r r y B u r k e J r ." <"keep it in the newsgroup "@thankyou.com> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

supabonbon said:

Right. Ever consider trying drop bars? I don't personally recommend it for offroad, but I've
seen it done. /s

It's even got a name! Cyclocross!

Barry

Yeah yeah yeah.... Saw that coming. Actually, I meant for regular xcountry riding, which is
different from cyclocross. Tomac rode them in the downhill at Mt Snow a long time ago. /s

supabonbon wrote in message <[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"B a r r y B u r k e J r ." <"keep it in the newsgroup "@thankyou.com>

wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

supabonbon said:

Right. Ever consider trying drop bars? I don't personally recommend it for offroad, but I've
seen it done. /s

It's even got a name! Cyclocross!

Barry

Yeah yeah yeah.... Saw that coming. Actually, I meant for regular xcountry riding, which is
different from cyclocross. Tomac rode them in the downhill at Mt Snow a long time ago. /s

He put them on his mtn bike because his coach told him he would do better if he had a consistent
position across all his bikes. He himself admits that they sucked.

Steve E.