Brake reach issues... Shims?

[SadieKate]

I have small hands, not incredibly small, but small enough that I have reach problems. The width of the Shimano hoods was uncomfortable for me. I set up a bike with them and used them for about 6 months and finally decided it wasn't worth it.

I've never had a problem with the reach of Campy from the drops. From the hoods, I cannot get a really firm grip but good enough for times when I don't want to be in the drops anyway. I descend in the drops.

If it is a matter of getting lower gearing, I use a Jtek Shiftmate with Campy levers and a Shimano drivetrain.

[slinkedog]

Thanks for all the advice, Ladies! I will order a set from Specialized and I imagine Blaine will be able to install them for me.

[SnappyPix]

Forgot to mention that sometimes it might be necessary to make a slight adjustment to the brake cable, to slacken it off a little - but I didn't need to adjust anything on mine when I fitted them.

[tprevost]

Ok Slinkedog,

NOW I know exactly what you were talking about! I did a ride with a couple of steep areas yesterday and I actually got off and (gasp!) walked! After crashing on the rollerblades going downhill, I am ultra whimpy and don't feel very stable on the downhills. Anyway, by the time I was done w/my ride my right wrist/arm hurt so badly that I ran home and iced it for a long time. I'm ordering my shims right now!

Thanks everyone for the info -

Tracy

[Robbin_G]

I have small hands, not incredibly small, but small enough that I have reach problems. The width of the Shimano hoods was uncomfortable for me. I set up a bike with them and used them for about 6 months and finally decided it wasn't worth it.

I've never had a problem with the reach of Campy from the drops. From the hoods, I cannot get a really firm grip but good enough for times when I don't want to be in the drops anyway. I descend in the drops.

If it is a matter of getting lower gearing, I use a Jtek Shiftmate with Campy levers and a Shimano drivetrain.

Hey there SadieKate,

I too am having problems with grip in the hoods. I think this is casuing my numb thumbs. Is there any correcting this? Shims for campys?

Here's whats funny....the training group I ride in is a tad slow and all over the map on confidence. I can do decents faster than some of these folk, but can't needing to maintain single file....so I've never descended in the drops thinking the aero dynamics are going to speed me up, but you get more breaking power in the drops. The result is stiff gripping in the hoods.

By the end of a ride I have no strength left in my hands. (How close did I come to that cab because I wasn't braking hard enough!?)


Thanks!