KneesUp
Guru
I finally got around to removing the old 'hooped cable' brake levers from my bike and fitting some aero ones. The old ones worked perfectly well, but the hoods were very uncomfortable - bare metal and not very large. In terms of comfort the new ones are leagues ahead - but unfortunately the brakes aren't as good.
I think the problem is that the cable is stretching the bar tape, so some of the lever movement is going toward bulging the tape rather than activating the brakes. I taped the outers under the tape down at three points (with masking tape - not the best choice?) before I put the bar tape on, and I pulled the bar tape tight.
The brakes work, but not with the sharpness they did. What should I do differently when I retape the bars? Should I have taped them with the brakes on, perhaps?
I think the problem is that the cable is stretching the bar tape, so some of the lever movement is going toward bulging the tape rather than activating the brakes. I taped the outers under the tape down at three points (with masking tape - not the best choice?) before I put the bar tape on, and I pulled the bar tape tight.
The brakes work, but not with the sharpness they did. What should I do differently when I retape the bars? Should I have taped them with the brakes on, perhaps?