Drop brake lever reach
#1
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Drop brake lever reach
So I have had drops on my old MTB conversion for a while, and I love it. My One complaint is that in the drops I struggle to reach the levers. This bike does not have integrated shifting. I am wondering is there a brake lever out there that is adjustable; other than brifters. Is there one for people with small hands that would have a shorter reach? Or is there an adjustment I am not aware of? these are pretty basic levers. But I have the same issue with my Brifters. I have to have them adjusted way in to reach. Thanks for any help.
#2
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There are levers for small hands. Go to a women's specific site and look. (I have big hands so I have no advice there. I do my best to stay well clear of those levers.)
A trick - slide your levers further down the handlebars. This will swing the levers back. It is a basic ride change when you are riding on the hoods so it may not be a good answer for you. I like my hoods projecting forwards, not diagonally up. Always have. If you look at the old racing photos you can see many others doing the same. (I've always liked a very long reach and cannot stand hoods that rotate my wrists up when I am out of the saddle.)
A trick - slide your levers further down the handlebars. This will swing the levers back. It is a basic ride change when you are riding on the hoods so it may not be a good answer for you. I like my hoods projecting forwards, not diagonally up. Always have. If you look at the old racing photos you can see many others doing the same. (I've always liked a very long reach and cannot stand hoods that rotate my wrists up when I am out of the saddle.)
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Many Shimano STI's have a reach adjustment on the levers to allow them to be a little closer to the bars. Some of the older STI's used a block that was put into place and most of the newer STI's use a screw adjust you either have to pull the hood back or some you pull the lever back some and get to the screw in the space above the lever.
If you know your model of STI, then the DM's at Shimano's tech doc site will show you how to adjust them. If you have other than Shimano levers, then you'll have to search for their doc's. Most everything I've used for the last 12 years has been Shimano.
If you know your model of STI, then the DM's at Shimano's tech doc site will show you how to adjust them. If you have other than Shimano levers, then you'll have to search for their doc's. Most everything I've used for the last 12 years has been Shimano.
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Do a search for brake lever shims for your specific lever; they are made for this very purpose.
Example: https://www.bicyclebuys.com/item/101...-4500-shifters
Example: https://www.bicyclebuys.com/item/101...-4500-shifters
Last edited by Rolla; 08-17-22 at 02:16 PM.
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The Tektro RL341 is specifically a short reach drop bar brake levers:
https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-Womens.../dp/B003I6FL3E
https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-Womens.../dp/B003I6FL3E
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I bought the Tektro RL341 for my wife and recently installed them on my bike. They have a little shorter reach. I’m not sure the actual reach is closer than an 80’s Dia Compe lever, but they are a lot more comfortable riding on the hoods.
The lever flares out which makes it easier. There really isn’t a true adjustment but you can set the lever return at 2 set points; closer or farther.
John
The lever flares out which makes it easier. There really isn’t a true adjustment but you can set the lever return at 2 set points; closer or farther.
John
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Ultegra short reach brakes NIB currently resting in my garage.
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I don't even know what those are!
If when you are braking hard, you have plenty of distance from the lever to the bars, then you might just open up the distance the pads are to the rim. That'll let you pull the levers to a more comfortable grip before the pads engage the rim.
Changing to a new lever might help. But with your actual brake type and the trigger shifters on the bar, I'm well out of my experience to suggest what to get.
If when you are braking hard, you have plenty of distance from the lever to the bars, then you might just open up the distance the pads are to the rim. That'll let you pull the levers to a more comfortable grip before the pads engage the rim.
Changing to a new lever might help. But with your actual brake type and the trigger shifters on the bar, I'm well out of my experience to suggest what to get.
#10
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I don't even know what those are!
If when you are braking hard, you have plenty of distance from the lever to the bars, then you might just open up the distance the pads are to the rim. That'll let you pull the levers to a more comfortable grip before the pads engage the rim.
Changing to a new lever might help. But with your actual brake type and the trigger shifters on the bar, I'm well out of my experience to suggest what to get.
If when you are braking hard, you have plenty of distance from the lever to the bars, then you might just open up the distance the pads are to the rim. That'll let you pull the levers to a more comfortable grip before the pads engage the rim.
Changing to a new lever might help. But with your actual brake type and the trigger shifters on the bar, I'm well out of my experience to suggest what to get.