Brake Lever Angle
10-06-14, 07:31 PM
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Brake Lever Angle
I'm still tweaking this and that on my new Trek 7.2 FX hybrid and I'd like to know what the usual consensus is on what angle the shifters and brake levers ought to make with the floor. When I got the bike, the store had set it up so that they were almost parallel to the floor. I've since lowered them so that they make a thirty degree angle with a line perpendicular to the floor at the grips. I've found that this lets me roll my hands forwards so that my knuckles point towards the floor when I ride and there is less strain on my wrist as the pressure is transmitted straight up through my forearm, but when I went on a ride earlier today, my hands felt tired and as if they had to exert greater effort. What is the common opinion on brake lever angle for flat bars?
10-06-14, 08:19 PM
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I use an angle that allows me to keep my wrist neutral (neither flexed nor extended) when I'm covering the brakes. It sounds like you may have yours setup to flex your wrist a bit more, but just keep adjusting them until they're comfy.
10-06-14, 08:28 PM
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I like mine about 45 degrees.
10-07-14, 11:12 AM
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Really individual, no right answer; do whatever feels best.
10-07-14, 11:22 AM
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Seems like the old rule of thumb was put your hands on the bars and stick your fingers straight out. The levers should be right under your fingers.
