handlebars?

I have a new Cannondale SR800 that I'm still getting used to. My first "real" road bike, and I've only been at this a few months. Being almost 5 foot 7 I opted for this instead of WSD, just put a female-friendly saddle on. Now that I'm more comfortable on the bike and ready to get into the drops, uh oh, it seems my hands have to really stretch from there to reach the brakes with my fingers. :(

Speaking out of pure ignorance, this doesn't seem like something that could be adjusted. I'm going by LBS today or tomorrow to get them to tweak a couple of other things, but would like to hear from you ladies...

Anybody have any experience with this? What's the solution? Thanks!

How have you been braking up until now? From the hoods? I know there are short reach brakes out there. We're thinking about them for our new tandem.

V.

good question! :D From the hoods. And there's an extra set of brakes on the SR model near where the handlebars meet in the middle (don't know the technical term) so you can steer and brake while sitting more upright.

I never liked braking from the hoods. It never seemed quite as secure to me.

There is certainly stuff out there. I did a Google search on short reach brake levers and poof.

V.

Short Reach Brake Levers

That's one reason I love this board. Everybody knows so much and they're happy to help! Sounds like the ticket. I will discuss w/LBS asap. :) Had no idea they sold these separately (much less, what to call them in a google search...) Thanks again, Veronica.

There are also shims made for Shimano levers (by, I think both Shimano and Specialized). It slips into the front of the lever by the hinge and keeps the brake lever closer to the bar. Of course, you then need to adjust the cables. Ask your shop about these. I'll go see what I can find with Mr. Google.

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Originally Posted by shewhobikes

That's one reason I love this board. Everybody knows so much and they're happy to help! Sounds like the ticket. I will discuss w/LBS asap. :) Had no idea they sold these separately (much less, what to call them in a google search...) Thanks again, Veronica.

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With the same search, I found the second link had a photo of a women-specific handlebar, made by Terry, shaped to bring your hands closer to the levers. That sounds like a good solution to me.

Oh, and the brake extension thingies? I've only heard bad things. :( You can't apply proper force to the brakes, making emergency stopping difficult and dangerous.

I only ride in the drops for long fast descents, and I suppose I'll have to learn to sprint in the drops if I start racing, but otherwise my hands are on the hoods or the tops for effective leverage and/or to open my chest during strenuous (climbing) efforts. When and why are you in the drops?

I prefer to do my standing climbs from the drops. I don't have aero bars so if it's really windy I may go into the drops on a flat section to minimize wind resistance. I descend in the drops.

V.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Veronica

I prefer to do my standing climbs from the drops. I don't have aero bars so if it's really windy I may go into the drops on a flat section to minimize wind resistance. I descend in the drops.

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Cool! Yeah, I very occasionally go into the drops on a flat but more likely (especially if I'm in a group going well over 20 mph, eep!) I'll just flatten out and come down closer to the bars with my hands still on the hoods.

Climbing in the drops -- on the flat part, I presume? My Mr. does that too. For me, if it's short enough to power over by standing, I tend to leverage the whole bike by shoving around on the hoods. If it's long enough to grind up, I'm more likely to be on the tops, sitting and struggling with my chest as open as possible, LOL! :rolleyes:

I looked at both the short reach Shimano levers and Specialized products.

Shimano's brakes come with the adaptors. Some WSD bikes come equipped with them also. The adaptors are different so you need to do your research on compatibility. They come in 5mm and 10mm sizes which move the lever 10mm and 20mm closer. My LBS said they run about $10 a set.

Here is the link to the current model Specialized.

Slim Shim Adaptors

I tend to only do short, steep climbs standing - raises my heart rate too much. Although I love to stand together on the tandem. And if it's a longer ride, I'll just spin instead to conserve energy. For exampla I only stand on Diablo on the flatter section just before the Summit to stretch before the final climb if I need to. I don't even stand on the 17% section.

To answer the question asked :D I actually have my hands on the rounded part of the drops when I stand and climb. Weird huh.

V.

I ride mostly on the top or hoods... my arms are real long.

I pop down to the drops to go fast or stretch my back.

I will check on Terry. I want to use the drops more for descents and when I'm facing a strong headwing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shewhobikes

Speaking out of pure ignorance, this doesn't seem like something that could be adjusted. I'm going by LBS today or tomorrow to get them to tweak a couple of other things, but would like to hear from you ladies...

Anybody have any experience with this? What's the solution? Thanks!

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It is something they should be able to fix too. If I understand the problem, the levers are too far for you to reach from the drops. You/they would have to unwrap the bars but the brakes/hoods can be moved on the bars to some degree - making it easier to reach from the drops. It would change the reach from the tops of the bars tho and it would change your position when riding on the hoods. I used to always ride in the drops, made me feel like a "racer" (ok...I was also about 13 yrs old!) but I have gull wings right now. They work for the commuter bike but I really lust for a road bike! A)I want the speed and B)I miss the drops! Anyway, good luck with the bike and let us know how you resolved it!

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Originally Posted by Veronica

To answer the question asked :D I actually have my hands on the rounded part of the drops when I stand and climb. Weird huh.

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You must have a very strong butt. ;) Sorry, but that's the first thing that came to mind when thinking of climbing out of the saddle in that position -- my gluteus would be burning in nothing flat! :D Hm, in fact, I think I need to try it...

Sounds like I have a couple of options. I will talk to LBS about adjusting the levers closer to the drops. Either that, or we could order WDS/smaller hand design from somewhere, if the shop doesn't have in stock, to replace. Either way I understand I'll have to adjust my hand position a bit on the hoods. Good deal! Y'all are the best. :D Thanks, and I'll report back when I get this situated.

Alison said - You must have a very strong butt.

I think so too. :D That was my reaction the first time I rode that way accidentally. My after work ride has a nice curvy downhill followed by a short steep uphill. And I just felt so strong in that position. God knows your butt ought to be good for something !

V.

I have small hands so find it hard to reach the brakes in the drops and to brake effectively on the hoods, so I got a set of 3T handle bars.http://www.3ttt.com/ing/fr_curve.htm
(Click on Choose the Product, then select 'Eva' )

They're made specifically for smaller hands and they do several different sorts. The ones I've got are actually aimed more at touring bikes,but the shape of them means they bring your hands closer to the levers when in the drops.

Also, if you're riding Shimano you can adjust a screw just inside the lever which pulls it in closer to the handlebars .You need to get the brake cable shortened but your LBS can do this for you very easily. This helped a lot as you don't need to pull so hard on the brakes to get them to work.

Hope this helps. :)

Does being in the drops on climbs work your butt? I thought the cycling gods proclaimed that being more upright was the preferred way to climb because it did engage your low back and glutes in the effort, whereas being in the drops puts most of workload on your quads. I could be totally wrong tho. If climbing in the drops works your butt, I'll have to try it. My butt needs a lot o' work!

For me it seems to engage the butt and hamstrings more than the quads.

V.

Being fairly short and reach always being a problem, I have Salsa Moto Ace short and shallow drop handlebars (see aebike.com) and short reach shimano levers. My bars are turned a bit down at the ends and I've fiddled with the levers to get the hoods in good position. The handlebars come in different widths also so you can get the right shoulder width. See also girlbike.com and I think Crystal shows and tells about handlebars and placement.
Hope this helps. I also have the xtra levers on the tops so I can ride upright if I want and I think they are a win win. I have never had a problem with stopping. The guy at the LBS recommended and put them on for me.

more good stuff. Geez, I'm so glad I posted this. I'm learning there's infinite possibilities, limited only by my wallet and our imaginations. ;) Crystal does have an article on handlebars that was very useful, esp. her explanation of how to measure for width. I will definitely get the LBS to do that for me as long as we're on this subject.

thank you, ladies! So much to read and digest!!

thanks to you all, and to some weird competitiveness (does anyone else get this?) I have with a local female rider who will also being racing at the first MTB race I do this year May 7 (I can't believe it's so soon) who has been out training on her road bike :eek: I realize that I *must* make my road-bike more *me* friendly! I'll be researching and reading a bit more this evening and will order a new bar and new saddle and new computer tonight. :D

That 3T bar the MM posted looks mighty fine! but I'll keep reading

many thanks
Namaste,
~T~

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Originally Posted by shewhobikes

I will check on Terry. I want to use the drops more for descents and when I'm facing a strong headwing.

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I'd also like to recommend Salsa Poco handlebars. I've got the Terry bars on my Terry bike, but spec'd out Salsa Pocos on my Aegis and Bike Friday, having heard good things about them. I much prefer the Pocos. They have more of a flat section up top (more room for gadgets and hands!) than the Terrys and a nice little ergonomic "bump" in the drop section. They are also a "short and shallow" bar made for women that help with a shorter reach. Check 'em out! :)

Emily

Well it took me all week to get back to the LBS. I wanted to ride this morning but it was chilly and VERY windy so tackled this issue instead. The best fitter there worked with me for a while and we decided the answer would be a new short, shallow handlebar with closer levers. He pointed out that my current bars, at 42 inches wide (from center to center) had me angling my arms out just a bit, and that their design really didn't allow me to bend my elbows much. (The new one will be 40 inches.)

So, ta da! I should get the new bars mid-week. Thanks, everybody, for all the good advice! I'll report back after I do the test drive.

And, on another note, we installed the clipless pedals. Gulp. Tomorrow will be warmer and calmer so I intend to ride around on the grass and practice.

Congrats Shew - I hope the new handlebars work for you! What pedals did you get btw??......I want to put some on the new (to me) road bike and I'm just curious.