Stem size in a Nishiki Riviera mixte?

[LeicaLad]

Thank you all.

Below are the results of my current homework. I’ve not yet ordered, but am about to do so. (I also found those foam bar pad replacements, but I’m thinking total replacement here.)

Big question: I have NO experience with “aero” brake levers. Are these okay for upright bars? Duuuh.

Would these choices make sense? (From www.niagaracycle.com)

(1) Kalloy 25.4 Clamp 100mm 115d Silver 1" Quill with Stop
(1) Dimension 25.4 70mm Riser Bar 50deg sweep Silver
(1) Tektro R100A Ergo Brake Levers Black/Silver
(1) Sunlite MX II Comfort Bicycle Grips, Black

Grips are tough to choose. Too many to pick from. If the brake levers are black, I guess I gotta go with black grips. My wife has small hands, thus the compact levers. BUT, will these grips be too fat? Anyone suggest better grip choice (and/or anything else)?

Thank You All!

[sarahspins]

Those brakes are meant for drops... that doesn't mean you couldn't use them on a flat type bar, but it would be overkill. Which brake levers you need ultimately depends on what bars you will be using, since they have different clamp sizes.

You can use regular levers, cross levers, reverse levers.. there's a lot of options, just make sure that what you buy has the right clamp diameter to match your bars.

[LeicaLad]

Thank you. Your comments have been hugely helpful.

I'm just trying to put nice upright bars on this bike for my wife.

She is small and has small hands. These Tektro grips are what had shown up in other threads as small hands friendly, but I wasn't clear about use on bars such as those chosen here.

The stem you suggested seems perfect. I think the stem shifters can be kept. So the brake levers and grip become the significant matters remaining. I hope the 50 degree sweep on these bars isn't too much.

These brake levers cost $20, so are quite reasonable. Are there more appropriate levers for small hands that would work with this setup?

Are those grips too fat, making the reach to the brake levers more difficult?

My apologies for so many dumb questions. I know certain bike things well. I can repack bearings, be they hubs, headsets and cranks, for example. But this arena is all new to me.

Yet more thanks! Seriously.

-O-

[sarahspins]

What bar are you using (link)? That will make it easier to suggest something... almost all brake levers meant for flat bars have a reach adjustment screw, so finding ones that will be easy for her to reach/use shouldn't be a problem.

[LeicaLad]

The link for the bars is here:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=405981

An alternate bar option is this one:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=405979

The fat, but soft, grips are here:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=11062

This is the link for the Tektro brake levers. The silver ones don't have a photo, so this is the black/black version:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=402888

Thank you.