ridelikeaturtle

I'm doing a full maintenance job on a friend's old Bianchi Caurus, it's got Shimano Exage Motion brake levers with white hoods, and damn they're disgusting.

I've been scrubbing and cleaning, and they are so degraded I don't think they can be salvaged. Always sticky & gummy, and only just not falling apart completely. Unfortunately, OEM replacements are like hen's teeth.

Are there any alternatives that fit pretty well, that are reasonably priced (less than 50euro)? Or would the easiest solution just go with whole new levers & hoods? It's a fine little bike, but not precious or special. The more I think of it, that's probably the best & quickest solution.. but if anyone knows if a different set of aero hoods works 90% as well as the originals (there's that silly little half-circle cut-out), then that might be good too.

thanks!

cannonride15

Pretty sure these will work for you, a pretty good price too!

https://www.performancebike.com/shim..._profit_lt_010

Or do a search on 'shimano aero brake hoods' in your favorite search engine.

Bianchigirll 

I don’t know if shipmano ever offered those aftermarket since they were more or less a recreational level group. Unfortunately shipmano made switching hoods between groups hard with little notches and stuff, plus these have the hole for the “Turkey wing” levers making it even harder.

for the effort involved in search8ng and the cost, your probably better off getting something like the Tektro RL320. https://www.tektro.com/products.php?p=206

bax76

Hi, I resolve similar problems with leather and stiching over old hoods.

pastorbobnlnh 

Very nice work, bax76 ! I've been doing the same on difficult or impossible to find hoods. My preference is to use thick goat skin.


Above is what I did on Shimano Dura Ace AX. As you can see, I also made a leather bar wrap to compliment the hoods. C&V member cudak888 suggested the outline stitching, which was a great design improvement (even if it serves no specific purpose).

I can't quite tell from your photo, but do you stitch the leather behind the bar (opposite the lever)? If so that's not something I've thought of. Can you provide a picture? Thanks.

bax76

Hi, yes, I am stitching behind the bars, below the hood, and in front above the levers




And I am stretching leather heavily during process to get into the hood shape.

And that is long lasting repair, couple of seasons will last surely.

Second variation:



PS. I did one Aero AX myself ,
Your work is great, too!

Chombi1 

Dang that looks like blue cheese!
Usually they look like bacon......