Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Small levers

Captain Dondo · 2003-03-14T13:32:00+00:00

My wife rides a tiny 24" wheeled Marinoni that dates back to mid-80s. She currently has donwtube shifters and Shimano 600 (I believe) brake levers. The levers are smaller than normal. As she's 4'11" with hands to match, adult sized levers are simply too big. I'd like to get her STI shifters, but I can't find any setup for people with small hands. I don't mind going Campy if that's needed, but again, only full size available. Does anyone make STI shifters for small adults (as opposed to the kids' stuff?) TIA, -Dondo

Started by Captain Dondo · 14 March 2003 · Last activity 17 March 2003 · 5 posts · 1,102 views

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Original section: Cycling Equipment
Published: 14 March 2003
Last activity: 17 March 2003
Original author: Captain Dondo
Posts: 5
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 1,102
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Campagnolo Drivetrain compatibility

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Original post
Captain Dondo
Archived post

14 March 2003, 13:32 UTC #1

My wife rides a tiny 24" wheeled Marinoni that dates back to mid-80s. She currently has donwtube
shifters and Shimano 600 (I believe) brake levers. The levers are smaller than normal.
As she's 4'11" with hands to match, adult sized levers are simply too big.
I'd like to get her STI shifters, but I can't find any setup for people with small hands. I don't
mind going Campy if that's needed, but again, only full size available.
Does anyone make STI shifters for small adults (as opposed to the kids' stuff?)
TIA,
-Dondo

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Kbh
Archived post

14 March 2003, 18:00 UTC #2

Shimano has a new adjustable reach STI lever, the 600 model. Sheldon Brown has them
(www.sheldonbrown.com). They ain't cheap.
"Captain Dondo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
My wife rides a tiny 24" wheeled Marinoni that dates back to mid-80s. She currently has donwtube
shifters and Shimano 600 (I believe) brake levers. The levers are smaller than normal.
As she's 4'11" with hands to match, adult sized levers are simply too big.
I'd like to get her STI shifters, but I can't find any setup for people with small hands. I don't
mind going Campy if that's needed, but again, only full size available.
Does anyone make STI shifters for small adults (as opposed to the kids' stuff?)
TIA,
-Dondo

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Grenouil
Archived post

14 March 2003, 18:15 UTC #3

"Captain Dondo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
My wife rides a tiny 24" wheeled Marinoni that dates back to mid-80s. She currently has donwtube
shifters and Shimano 600 (I believe) brake levers. The levers are smaller than normal.
As she's 4'11" with hands to match, adult sized levers are simply too big.
I'd like to get her STI shifters, but I can't find any setup for people with small hands. I don't
mind going Campy if that's needed, but again, only full size available.
Does anyone make STI shifters for small adults (as opposed to the kids' stuff?)
TIA,
-Dondo
Shimano Sora STI is adjustable for reach....

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Mike Jacoubowsk
Archived post

17 March 2003, 02:31 UTC #4

Are you aware of the other various things you'll need to change to make her bike STI-compatible?
Getting adjustable-reach STI levers is no longer a problem; for 8-speed systems you can use SORA,
and for 9-speed, Shimano has come out with an Ultegra-equivalent adjustable lever. But you're going
to need to update quite a few other things on an older bike to make it work well.
But, for starters, how many gears in the back, and how wide is the tail end of the bike (120, 126 or
130mm?). Double or triple up front?
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.com
"Captain Dondo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
My wife rides a tiny 24" wheeled Marinoni that dates back to mid-80s. She currently has donwtube
shifters and Shimano 600 (I believe) brake levers. The levers are smaller than normal.
As she's 4'11" with hands to match, adult sized levers are simply too big.
I'd like to get her STI shifters, but I can't find any setup for people with small hands. I don't
mind going Campy if that's needed, but again, only full size available.
Does anyone make STI shifters for small adults (as opposed to the kids' stuff?)
TIA,
-Dondo

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Michael Tordoff
Archived post

17 March 2003, 19:01 UTC #5

Lennard Zinn of Velonews TechTalk recently provided several responses to this problem.
velonews.com3416.0.html
velonews.com3464.2.html
Note also that some handlebars are shaped to reduce the distance between the bar and lever. My 5 ft
2 in wife was unable to use STIs until she switched to Terry T bars
terrybicycles.com220.lasso.
Mike in Philadelphia
"Captain Dondo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
My wife rides a tiny 24" wheeled Marinoni that dates back to mid-80s. She currently has donwtube
shifters and Shimano 600 (I believe) brake levers. The levers are smaller than normal.
As she's 4'11" with hands to match, adult sized levers are simply too big.
I'd like to get her STI shifters, but I can't find any setup for people with small hands. I don't
mind going Campy if that's needed, but again, only full size available.
Does anyone make STI shifters for small adults (as opposed to the kids' stuff?)
TIA,
-Dondo

Report

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