Originally Posted by
headwind15
All of these posters are avoiding the underlying problem. I had really bad arthrits in my left thumb. I got to the point that where going down hill and even using hydraulic disc brakes with 160 rotor was doable, but anything less and my (left) thumb joint hurt. I had surgery to remove the bone on bone that created the pain. Now my thumb has no limits. I can use any brake and my hand is like that of a kid.
I had to put etap on my bike because I could not operate the shifters. Surgery could potentially address my underlying medical problem but $1500 shifters vs $80K surgery is a tough tradeoff to make. With good disc brakes, OP should be able to operate them with a pinky finger. One suspects he has had medical advice elsewhere. He could be up and running with workable brakes in days.....I know when I upgraded to etap, I was like.....why didn't I do this sooner.