Small hands and STI shifters

[Kathi]

Another thought, new components are stiffer. A month ago, when I got my new bike, I was complaining about how hard my brakes were to squeeze and now, after 700 miles, I'm already noticing how much the cables have stretched.

[quint41]

Yes! The woman at LBS suggested that Campy is easier on the hands. I have never seen a bike with Campy components. Are there manufacturers that put them on their bikes? Or is this something I'd have to swap to after purchasing a bike? At what cost? That just goes against my grain -- spend $800 or more on a bike and then MORE money to remove the brand new Shimano components to put the Campy on?! I'm too frugal for that!

Please keep those ideas coming. I'm going to take this info with me when I go bike shopping! Thanks!

[Kathi]

Bianchi is the only company that I know that puts Campy on their bikes.

My LBS switched out my crankset on my mtn bike from a 170mm to a 165 mm and didn't charge me. I'd ask your shop what it would cost to make the changes.

A warning about Campy, there is still a problem reaching the brakes from the drops. Shimano has a shim that brings the brakes closer but Campy doesn't. To me it is only an issue on long downhills where I need the power to slow myself down. When I lived in Ohio I didn't break from my drops, only over the hoods.

I know how frustrating this all seems, the bicycling market still does not adequately serve the needs of women.

[divingbiker]

I just went through this, and the problem IS solvable. I had my LBS put women-specific Shimano levers on my ultegra-equipped bike (apparently they have a shorter throw to shift) and shims to bring the levers closer to the handlebars. Even with that I couldn't shift in the front rings at all. Once another mechanic adjusted everything again (a new set of eyes and hands) I now can shift very easily. Don't let them tell you it's just you, because it isn't.

[Kathi]

I just went through this, and the problem IS solvable. I had my LBS put women-specific Shimano levers on my ultegra-equipped bike (apparently they have a shorter throw to shift) and shims to bring the levers closer to the handlebars. Even with that I couldn't shift in the front rings at all. Once another mechanic adjusted everything again (a new set of eyes and hands) I now can shift very easily. Don't let them tell you it's just you, because it isn't.

When I was chosing components for my Serotta the LBS wanted me to go with those levers, but I stayed with Campy.

Shimano claims they are women specific but that is a misnomer as they did not change the shape of the hoods. If you have short fingers they work but with small, tiny hands like mine the size of the hoods are very wide and uncomfortable.

One of the guys in my LBS told me that guy mechanics adjust cables for the size and strength of their hands and tend to forget about women with smaller hands and less strength.

[mimitabby]

Bianchi is the only company that I know that puts Campy on their bikes.

My LBS switched out my crankset on my mtn bike from a 170mm to a 165 mm and didn't charge me. I'd ask your shop what it would cost to make the changes.

A warning about Campy, there is still a problem reaching the brakes from the drops. Shimano has a shim that brings the brakes closer but Campy doesn't. To me it is only an issue on long downhills where I need the power to slow myself down. When I lived in Ohio I didn't break from my drops, only over the hoods.

I know how frustrating this all seems, the bicycling market still does not adequately serve the needs of women.

Kathi,
on friday i am getting Eva handlebars put onto my bianchi for this very reason.
It shortens the distance between the brakes and the bar.. we'll see. I put the new handlebars side by side with the old ones and i still couldn't tell.
I'll let you know how it goes.