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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    WA State
    Posts
    4,364
    You can always make your own shims or even alter the specialized ones to fit I wish I could find the website where I found it, but darn it can't find it anywhere. I saw someone who showed how to make your own shims. They cut the eraser off of two pencils (new and flat ones of course - the big fat pencils for kids or that you sometimes get at lumber stores might work excellently) and glued them on the flat surface that you can see when you squeeze the brake. This moves the brake closer to the handlbars and should make it a little easier to reach. Basically its like closing your brakes a bit, so you will have to adjust them to be sure that they don't rub.

    You could also try a different pair of handlebars - some of the ones that are labled ergonomic (like Ritchey BioMax or Salsa Short and Shallow) are supposed to have bends that make it easier to reach your brakes in the drops. Play around with the positioning of your levers on the bars until you feel comfortable - you may need to take the tape off to move them enough. My experience is that shops like to set up the levers up too high on the bars.
    "Sharing the road means getting along, not getting ahead" - 1994 Washington State Driver's Guide

    visit my flickr stream http://flic.kr/ps/MMu5N

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    washington state, sigh
    Posts
    126
    Quote Originally Posted by Eden View Post
    You can always make your own shims or even alter
    You could also try a different pair of handlebars - some of the ones that are labled ergonomic (like Ritchey BioMax or Salsa Short and Shallow) are supposed to have bends that make it easier to reach your brakes in the drops. Play around with the positioning of your levers on the bars until you feel comfortable - you may need to take the tape off to move them enough. My experience is that shops like to set up the levers up too high on the bars.
    Yea, first I was going to get some short and shallow. like I have on my Trek, but I measured the ritchie that came on it at 40, which is what i was going to order. So, I saw the shims in the LBS on their bikes, but they don't sell them separate.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Bendemonium
    Posts
    9,673
    Logdiva, do you have 10-speed levers? I couldn't figure out what you actually have other than 105 levers. These are the Shimano shims and will work with 105 9-speed.

    http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqP...jsp?spid=25305
    Frends know gud humors when dey is hear it. ~ Da Crockydiles of ZZE.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    washington state, sigh
    Posts
    126

    yea

    ten speed. Still can't decide. Hoping someone is upgrading and wants to sell some ultegra's, fat chance I know.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    3,932
    Quote Originally Posted by logdiva32 View Post
    ten speed. Still can't decide. Hoping someone is upgrading and wants to sell some ultegra's, fat chance I know.
    A friend of mine crashed and had to replace his ultegra shifters. He was really taken aback by the price. He realized a friend had recently crashed and needed a new bike. Luckily, the shifters were fine!! He got them for a very nice dinner with wine.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Cape Cod, MA
    Posts
    414

    Home-made shims

    Pencil erasers, tiny block of wood, picture-frame "bumpers", small block of duct tape...all can work as shims. I have them on my 105 9-speed and they work great. See this previous thread/picture:

    Shims

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    washington state, sigh
    Posts
    126

    ok

    I will try making some shims this weekend if I have time. I will try a pencil eraser, spray paint it black and glue it in. Does that sound right?

 

 

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