This may have been posted in the past but I couldn't find anything on it. I am cursed with shorter than average fingers for a person of my size. I have never had this problem before but my hands are getting extremely fatigued because my brake levers are too far away from my fingers. I'm think part of the problem is because of the switch to disk brakes. My levers were a bit more forgiving in the past when I kept a bit of tension on them.
Any solutions/workarounds other than getting different levers?
This may have been posted in the past but I couldn't find anything on it. I am cursed with shorter than average fingers for a person of my size. I have never had this problem before but my hands are getting extremely fatigued because my brake levers are too far away from my fingers. I'm think part of the problem is because of the switch to disk brakes. My levers were a bit more forgiving in the past when I kept a bit of tension on them.
Any solutions/workarounds other than getting different levers?
FYI: These are XT integrated shifters and levers.
Thanks,
CG
Other than switching to Avid Juicy 7's which let you adjust the reach (somewhat), thicker padded grips might give you another 1/4". How many fingers do you typically keep on the lever? I know that most people use one finger for disc brakes, but I prefer two. It's just more comfortable.
Another thing you can try if you cannot find more cushier grips is to build them up using roadie bar tape. I have seen that done once for a bigger child riding a full size MTB.
Other than switching to Avid Juicy 7's which let you adjust the reach (somewhat), thicker padded grips might give you another 1/4". How many fingers do you typically keep on the lever? I know that most people use one finger for disc brakes, but I prefer two. It's just more comfortable. Another thing you can try if you cannot find more cushier grips is to build them up using roadie bar tape. I have seen that done once for a bigger child riding a full size MTB.
adding padding or thicker grips would increase the diameter of the bar, consequently making for a longer reach.
I think he'll have the best results wih adjustable throw levers.
Other than switching to Avid Juicy 7's which let you adjust the reach (somewhat), thicker padded grips might give you another 1/4". How many fingers do you typically keep on the lever? I know that most people use one finger for disc brakes, but I prefer two. It's just more comfortable. Another thing you can try if you cannot find more cushier grips is to build them up using roadie bar tape. I have seen that done once for a bigger child riding a full size MTB.
adding padding or thicker grips would increase the diameter of the bar, consequently making for a longer reach.
I think he'll have the best results wih adjustable throw levers.
Ah, I see what you mean but it worked for the kid. I guess if you have a wide web between your thumb and forefinger it could work
"JohnH" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Other than switching to Avid Juicy 7's which let you adjust the reach (somewhat), thicker padded grips might give you another 1/4". How many fingers do you typically keep on the lever? I know that most people use one finger for disc brakes, but I prefer two. It's just more comfortable. Another thing you can try if you cannot find more cushier grips is to build them up using roadie bar tape. I have seen that done once for a bigger child riding a full size MTB.
adding padding or thicker grips would increase the diameter of the bar, consequently making for a longer reach.
That was my thought
Quoted message said:
I think he'll have the best results wih adjustable throw levers.
I don't know that I'll be able to swap out the levers without changing the whole configuration of shifters, etc. as they are integrated: http://tinyurl.com/bd24m
"JohnH" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Other than switching to Avid Juicy 7's which let you adjust the reach (somewhat), thicker padded grips might give you another 1/4". How many fingers do you typically keep on the lever? I know that most people use one finger for disc brakes, but I prefer two. It's just more comfortable. Another thing you can try if you cannot find more cushier grips is to build them up using roadie bar tape. I have seen that done once for a bigger child riding a full size MTB.
adding padding or thicker grips would increase the diameter of the bar, consequently making for a longer reach.
That was my thought
Quoted message said:
I think he'll have the best results wih adjustable throw levers.
I don't know that I'll be able to swap out the levers without changing the whole configuration of shifters, etc. as they are integrated: http://tinyurl.com/bd24m
Sh!tmano strikes again with those damn dualies. Can you get just replacement handles (not the entire unit) that have more of a bend? I was able to swap out the ones on my Hayes brakes for Razor Rock (yeh, old school) levers which were much more comfortable. I have small fingers too.
Sh!tmano strikes again with those damn dualies. Can you get just replacement handles (not the entire unit) that have more of a bend? I was able to swap out the ones on my Hayes brakes for Razor Rock (yeh, old school) levers which were much more comfortable. I have small fingers too.
This may have been posted in the past but I couldn't find anything on it. I am cursed with shorter than average fingers for a person of my size. I have never had this problem before but my hands are getting extremely fatigued because my brake levers are too far away from my fingers. I'm think part of the problem is because of the switch to disk brakes. My levers were a bit more forgiving in the past when I kept a bit of tension on them.
Any solutions/workarounds other than getting different levers?
FYI: These are XT integrated shifters and levers.
You could try changing the angle at which they're mounted to the handlebars for better reach ...
I actually think that my hands are a lot less tired since switching to disc.
-- monique
"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live." -- Mark Twain
"JohnH" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Other than switching to Avid Juicy 7's which let you adjust the reach (somewhat), thicker padded grips might give you another 1/4". How many fingers do you typically keep on the lever? I know that most people use one finger for disc brakes, but I prefer two. It's just more comfortable. Another thing you can try if you cannot find more cushier grips is to build them up using roadie bar tape. I have seen that done once for a bigger child riding a full size MTB.
adding padding or thicker grips would increase the diameter of the bar, consequently making for a longer reach.
That was my thought
Quoted message said:
I think he'll have the best results wih adjustable throw levers.
I don't know that I'll be able to swap out the levers without changing the whole configuration of shifters, etc. as they are integrated: http://tinyurl.com/bd24m
I read them. The problem is once I get the levers into a comfortable position not braking, when I put full force on them they hit the fingers that are holding onto the bar. It will take a little trial and error before I get them right. Thanks for the research Tim.
I read them. The problem is once I get the levers into a comfortable position not braking, when I put full force on them they hit the fingers that are holding onto the bar.
Move the levers inboard on the bar. A gap of an inch or more between the end of the grip and the lever clamp is not unusual. Most shops set the levers up to close to the grip. With two fingers on the lever, the end of the lever should line up with the split just beyond the ringfinger (which is holding the grip). If the lever is inboard enough, the lever should not overlap the fingers that hold the grip.
Quoted message said:
It will take a little trial and error before I get them right.
So many adjustments ... But Shimano put out a dvd that covered the set up ... check with your lbs. Shimano passed it out to alot of team mechanics last year, and sent it out to any shop that requested it.
Move the levers inboard on the bar. A gap of an inch or more between the end of the grip and the lever clamp is not unusual. Most shops set the levers up to close to the grip. With two fingers on the lever, the end of the lever should line up with the split just beyond the ringfinger (which is holding the grip). If the lever is inboard enough, the lever should not overlap the fingers that hold the grip.
Quoted message said:
It will take a little trial and error before I get them right.
So many adjustments ... But Shimano put out a dvd that covered the set up ... check with your lbs. Shimano passed it out to alot of team mechanics last year, and sent it out to any shop that requested it.
R
I actually did move the levers in a bit, I'll try moving them a bit more to see if that helps.
This may have been posted in the past but I couldn't find anything on it. I am cursed with shorter than average fingers for a person of my size. I have never had this problem before but my hands are getting extremely fatigued because my brake levers are too far away from my fingers. I'm think part of the problem is because of the switch to disk brakes. My levers were a bit more forgiving in the past when I kept a bit of tension on them.
Any solutions/workarounds other than getting different levers?
FYI: These are XT integrated shifters and levers.
As others have said, you're basically hosed on the "integrated thing". Of course, you could always sell the STI shift/brake levers and buy separates.
If you DID decide to do that, there are plenty of levers that offer adjustable position (including XT, XTR, and Tektro Quartz).
You could try changing the angle at which they're mounted to the handlebars for better reach ...
I actually think that my hands are a lot less tired since switching to disc.
-- monique
Once I get them adjusted appropriately I think I will be there too. Thanks Monique.
Good luck! I'd love to get my shifters and brake levers both closer to my hands, but it seems like if I get one close enough, the other is too far away. And the levers are already adjusted to be as close as possible. I have the same problem on my motorcycle ...
Ah, well.
I've noticed more and more people lately who swear by grip shifts. A racer who was teaching a clinic a few weeks ago had them ... she said her hands are too small for any of the other approaches. Just one more idea ... if you only had to worry about having brake levers close in, maybe it would be easier to find a sweet spot ...
-- monique
"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live." -- Mark Twain
Question: why are you holding your fingers on the brake lever when you aren't braking??
No matter how close or far the levers are, I would find that tiring. When you're just riding along, hold the bar. You only need to move your fingers off the bar and touch the lever when you want to brake (and in your case, to shift).
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Question: why are you holding your fingers on the brake lever when you aren't braking??
No matter how close or far the levers are, I would find that tiring. When you're just riding along, hold the bar. You only need to move your fingers off the bar and touch the lever when you want to brake (and in your case, to shift).
I guess it would depend on the type of terrain you are riding. The type of trails I ride typically require you have quick braking response. It has become habit over the past decade or so of riding to keep two fingers on my levers for this quick response, hand fatigue has never been an issue in the past. Now, if I were riding a mellow, graded bike path this would be less of a concern. However, since this is not the case I do need to find a solution as I value the continued health of my body far to much.
