handlebars?

[shewhobikes]

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!

[Veronica]

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.

[shewhobikes]

good question! 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.

[Veronica]

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

[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.

[SadieKate]

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.

[alison_in_oh]

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.

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?

[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.

V.

[alison_in_oh]

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.

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!

[SadieKate]

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

[Veronica]

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 I actually have my hands on the rounded part of the drops when I stand and climb. Weird huh.

V.

[spazzdog]

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.

[shewhobikes]

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

[CorsairMac]

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!

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!

[alison_in_oh]

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

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! Hm, in fact, I think I need to try it...