Brake Levers
05-09-09, 07:35 PM
#27
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Qft
+1
although i wouldnt (and dont) take the lever off. The tektros have an excellent spring mechanism so it doesnt rattle or disengage. I dont recall squeezing that lever when riding at all either. Plus, the symetry is more aesthetically-pleasing.
If you have normal hands, get the r200a. If you have smaller hands, the r100a is what you want. The hoods are the same size - the levers on the r100a are just angled a 1/2 inch more toward the bars than the r200a creating a shorter reach.
although i wouldnt (and dont) take the lever off. The tektros have an excellent spring mechanism so it doesnt rattle or disengage. I dont recall squeezing that lever when riding at all either. Plus, the symetry is more aesthetically-pleasing.
If you have normal hands, get the r200a. If you have smaller hands, the r100a is what you want. The hoods are the same size - the levers on the r100a are just angled a 1/2 inch more toward the bars than the r200a creating a shorter reach.
05-09-09, 07:38 PM
#28
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thats so awsome... i'm going to try that...
05-09-09, 09:36 PM
#29
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I believe the Cane Creek replacement hoods ("SCR-5C GUM") are compatible with the Tektros - I am not 100% though. That would be attractive with his build -- british racing green frame, honey brooks, gum hoods, gumwall tires...white fizik tape or something. Very classic.
05-11-09, 02:16 PM
#33
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those that shellac make the grips slippery at all? also did you apply the shellac after wrapping the bars im guessing?
05-11-09, 03:03 PM
#34
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slippery and hard. tried it - hated it.
instructions:
shellac the cloth after it's installed - use a paint brush.
and then ride for a week and rip it off
go to the shop and buy the fizik tape you should have bought in the 1st place.
instructions:
shellac the cloth after it's installed - use a paint brush.
and then ride for a week and rip it off
go to the shop and buy the fizik tape you should have bought in the 1st place.
05-11-09, 03:06 PM
#35
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that said, i ride with gloves on cloth tape and i like it. Lol.
05-11-09, 03:09 PM
#36
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have you tried the normal, non-soft touch fizik tape? it's non-padded and very thin, but not as rough cloth. reusable and washable and durable. I have some black fizik that I've rewrapped about 4x - still has plenty of life in it.
I should be a fizik sales rep.
I should be a fizik sales rep.
05-11-09, 04:22 PM
#38
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I have a rear brake on my bike. I've only used it once but it was incredibly useful when I needed it. Spinning at your max cadence near the bottom of a hill you're best off avoiding the front brake.
05-11-09, 04:33 PM
#39
it's easy if you let it.
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Bikes with one brake look dysfunctional and ugly in comparison to bikes with no brakes, which look elegant but dumb in comparison to bikes with two brakes.
05-11-09, 06:11 PM
#41
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In my experience, no. The finish is a bit nubbly, same as the cloth tape. Because cloth tape alone is a bit hard, and cork tape alone is a bit susceptible to damage and wear, I put cloth over cork tape and then shellac that. You get the comfort of cork, the nice looks of shellac and the durability of cloth. It's a very good bar tape setup.
By the way, the Tektro levers can definitely take the Cane Creek hoods, and vice versa (I have personally made this swap). They are identical products.
A back brake will come in handy if you take your bike into some trails (and this is fun as hell on a fixed road bike)
Finally, **** is Cinelli cork tape annoying! At least in my own experience, if you don't get it perfectly wrapped on the first try, it tends to disintegrate as you pull it off your bars. It's the opposite of what Laforge was talking about. This just seemed like an appropriate spot to complain about that.
By the way, the Tektro levers can definitely take the Cane Creek hoods, and vice versa (I have personally made this swap). They are identical products.
A back brake will come in handy if you take your bike into some trails (and this is fun as hell on a fixed road bike)
Finally, **** is Cinelli cork tape annoying! At least in my own experience, if you don't get it perfectly wrapped on the first try, it tends to disintegrate as you pull it off your bars. It's the opposite of what Laforge was talking about. This just seemed like an appropriate spot to complain about that.
Last edited by mander; 05-11-09 at 06:18 PM.
05-11-09, 07:33 PM
#43
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are you talking levers or calipers? levers, yes they look weird with one. calipers not too weird looking in my book.
05-11-09, 09:47 PM
#44
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I believe the Cane Creek replacement hoods ("SCR-5C GUM") are compatible with the Tektros - I am not 100% though. That would be attractive with his build -- british racing green frame, honey brooks, gum hoods, gumwall tires...white fizik tape or something. Very classic.
This is true, note the picture below:
05-11-09, 10:09 PM
#45
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Thats the set up i run fixed with those same levers and both front and rear brakes. you just have to be careful when using the rear brake because and pressure put on the drive train while using the brakes will make the bike skid very easily. You have to get used to using them both together.
05-12-09, 02:02 AM
#46
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