Salsa Poco vs. Short-n-Shallow

[divingbiker]

My guess would be the bar and the ergo bump are the issue, just because your hand looks like mine on my Bell Lap. Like if your hand was just comfy further up the bend everything would line up right. What happens if you move your hand off the comfy spot to just behind the lever? Can you wrap your fingers around the lever then? Or do you need short reach levers, too?

On my S-n-S my hand sits much closer in line with the levers, the ergo bump is in the "right" spot, though I still have to move my hand a little to get a really good grip on the levers.

(hey, if you go for a shallower drop bar and your Pocos need a new home, let me know. )

When my hand is further up, above the ergo bend and below the hood, I can reach just fine. It's just not comfortable. It's weird, though, because when I was using the Poco bars during my bike fitting, I could reach the levers just fine.

Those brand new Pocos just might be looking for a home soon...

[KnottedYet]

DB - If they were good at the fitting, maybe something just needs a little tweaking to make them good again.

Starfish - I've never really looked at short-reach levers, but it sounds like you could sure use them! I wonder if you can shim short-reaches and make them super short? (what levers do Kona and Trek use on their kids road and cyclocross bikes? Would they be cheaper than "adult" short reach levers? They've gotta be small for kids hands, right?)

[divingbiker]

DB - If they were good at the fitting, maybe something just needs a little tweaking to make them good again.

Yeah, I think another trip to the shop is in order. Except the "L"BS where I did the fitting is an hour away...

[dex]

Starfish, your hands sound very similar in size to mine (though probably not as chubby--my mom *still* teases me for having chubby little kid hands). I think my middle finger is about 3.25" and my palm is about 3" at its longest line. If I were at home, I would measure it, but I'm currently trying to trick myself into being productive by sitting at a coffee shop with my laptop.

I do have one shim in my R700 levers, and I know I have the option of putting another in there, but I don't need it. Unfortunately, I can't compare my levers with the 105's that you're using. I went from the un-adjustable Tiagra levers to these.

Here's a link to the levers I have on the Shimano site. If you're ever near Seattle, let me know and I'd be happy to let you check out the levers on my bike for yourself. Even on eBay, they weren't exactly cheap, so I can understand the hesitancy to drop money on something that may not meet your needs.

[sundial]

OK, I've been meaning to ask. I know the Salsa bars are shallower--are they narrower too? I have broad shoulders and my stock bar is fine width wise, but I have to shim my levers too.

[sundial]

Knotted, I think you should open a bike shop that carries ONLY WSD bikes.

[dex]

Knotted, I think you should open a bike shop that carries ONLY WSD bikes.

Noooo! Because I wouldn't be able to shop there.

[KnottedYet]

Knotted, I think you should open a bike shop that carries ONLY WSD bikes.

I wouldn't be able to shop there, either! (I can't ride WSD, they always feel cramped for my body proportions.)

Salsa's Poco and Short-n-Shallows come in 2 cm increments as far as width goes. I think 36/38/40/42/44. I'd have to look it up, and I'm too busy watching Utilikilt mock-u-mercials right now! www.salsacycles.com