Dual brake levers?

[Tina]

Hello! Long time since I've been on and still never got my bike.... Until now! My bf bought me his fathers carrera a tdf which I've been borrowing. Now that it's mine I wondered if I can put on the old style dual brake levers you used to get, you know so I can pull on the front ones from get go without needing leaning forward.

No idea how I would do this so any help much appreciated so I don't wobble off into a hedge as I sometimes nearly do when just setting off when traffic about lol

 

[Profpointy]

The old style ones are a very bad idea, and know as "suicide levers" - because braking from the extension bits was marginal if not meticulously adjusted, and not great even then.


However the good news is that you can get a new style which clips directly to the cables, and works very well indeed . - eg

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cane-creek-crosstop-brake-levers/

I've got these ( I think the very model) on my drop bared Thorn tourer, and they are great - especially off road

 

[Tina]

Thanks for replying.

I started reading that and thought oh no! These ones you've linked looked great, and easy to assemble!

Are there any "suicide" links to these? Lol if not I'll definitely consider these for the job :-)

 

[cyberknight]

You can operate the brakes when riding on the hoods which is where most riders have their hands,only using the drops for putting the hammer down or headwinds.
On a tablet ATM I can't seem to paste a link but if you search drop bar hand positions.
The levers you speak of were notoriously bad and were nicknamed suicide levers,the modern desperate interrupter levers are a bit like mini MTB brake levers that sit on the tops as well but I would try getting used to braking on the hoods if you can to save expense and to keep your hands by the controls.

 

[Tina]

Thanks, The problem is, I don't know if it's just because I'm a girl or not but I find it difficult to brake like that, the bike is a little on the big size for me and I can't get enough pressure on the brake from the hood.

 

[Tina]

Maybe my fingers or hands aren't strong enough, it's what it feels like anyway until I'm fully leaned forward and can get a better grasp

 

[cyberknight]

After you have got your bike fit sorts you might need brake lever shims to reduce lever reach.

 

[Tina]

I don't quite understand what you mean but sounds like it would be useful can you explain a little more? Thanks :-)

 

[Profpointy]

Although the cross stops work well, if you are struggling with existing brakes, probably worth making sure these are fettled properly before making changes. Eg are the adjusted right; are they "good" brakes in the first place, and perhaps the easiest to change is having good brake blocks - the rubber can harden with age for instance, and keep the rims clean and oil free (meths is good for this) Next thing is are the brakes in a good position on the bars for you - inevitably you get more oomph braking with your hands on the drops than from the hoods, but from the hoods should still be plenty if everything else is right.

I've not bothered with cross stops on my purely road bike, but found them good on my thorn, which I use off road - despite being drop handlebars. They are popular on cyclocross bikes - which are likewise dual purpose. Going down bumpy hills off road you tend to want to sit up, so the cross stops are good for that - less so on road.

i'm not saying don't fit em, but make sure rest of it is good first.

 

[cyberknight]

http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html
Have a look at the above and here are some shims but you need to check if they would fit
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized...aign=Adwords&gclid=CMGl-e3zvrwCFSn4wgodRSIAog

 

[cyberknight]

I don't quite understand what you mean but sounds like it would be useful can you explain a little more? Thanks :-)

 

[cyberknight]

If your reach is too long you might need a shorter stem but get your saddle height and set back right for your legs before che king the above,its only a guide mind as I have another 5 cm of reach after my fingers.

 

[Roadrider48]

Hi Tina. I think Cyberknight does have a point about getting used to braking from the hoods from a control of the bike perspective. Shims are a good idea as they bring the brake levers closer to the bars. Good for smaller hands. Have a search for brake lever shims. They're easy to fit, cheap and no tools are needed.
Hope you sort it out.
Happy cycling!

 

[Tina]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I see your point, I'll see what I can do before adding the brakes, see if it makes me feel in more control


Thanks :-)

 

[surfdude]

my wife has the levers mentioned in Profpointy post and thinks there great and work as well as the main brakes . gives her much more confidence on the bike