Road brake lever angle?

[jrenaut]

@Lt. Dan 198971 wrote:

You need either a shorter stem, or different drop bars… Have you thought about bullhorns?

I have thought about bullhorns and rejected them because they are ugly

[huskerdont]

From that second pic, it looks like you’ve tried so hard to move the grips closer that you’ve go them up so high that it’s actually, with the curve angle of the bar, made the lever *further* away from the bars. I wear size XL gloves and I really think I’d have trouble reaching those comfortably.

I assume you’ve got the seat moved forward as much as you can. Have you considered a seatpost with a different angle? Because if you’re stretched out on the frame, I think that would be the better solution than trying to move the grips closer to you. Either that or get a shorter stem, as Lt. Dan suggested.

[huskerdont]

@jrenaut 198973 wrote:

I have thought about bullhorns and rejected them because they are ugly

wut?

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[SarahBee]

@jrenaut 198968 wrote:

Need to get it dialed in soon so I can put new bar tape on

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Maybe hold off on the bar tape until you’ve had a chance to test this positioning out unless you want to practice your wrapping skills. Also, bull horns can look pretty rad with the right bar tape and hipster facial hair. Good luck!

[jrenaut]

@SarahBee 198980 wrote:

Maybe hold off on the bar tape until you’ve had a chance to test this positioning out unless you want to practice your wrapping skills. Also, bull horns can look pretty rad with the right bar tape and hipster facial hair. Good luck!

Yeah, I took the tape off to replace the brake cable and housing and am waiting to replace it. Luckily it’s still winter glove season so not a big deal.

I’m sure bullhorns are fine, I just really don’t like the style.

[dkel]

You could ditch the road levers altogether, and go with cross levers.

[jrenaut]

@dkel 198985 wrote:

You could ditch the road levers altogether, and go with cross levers.

Tried that a while ago when I was messing with track drop bars. Didn’t like it. I prefer riding on the hoods.
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[EasyRider]

@jrenaut 198981 wrote:

Yeah, I took the tape off to replace the brake cable and housing and am waiting to replace it. Luckily it’s still winter glove season so not a big deal.

I’m sure bullhorns are fine, I just really don’t like the style.

How would you feel about a city bar like the Cinelli Priest, with a little bit of rise and sweep? Modern versions like the Ahearne MAP and VO Milan bar are frequently used in place of drops for single speeds and fixed gears. They look very classy (IMO) and not out of place with chrome lugs like a bullhorn would (again, IMO) and would likely solve the problem of a top tube that is a bit longer than you’d like. They look good with a single brake lever so no dummy lever required for a balanced look like with drops. A flat bar and a brake lever won’t cost more than a new drop bar or new drop levers.

If you’re committed to drops I’d say get a shorter stem. The one in the picture looks like it’s 9 or 10cm? Maybe get a cheapo 7 or 8cm one and if see if that helps. I know some people don’t like the look of short stems and if that’s you, I’d say go for the city bars.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@jrenaut 198963 wrote:

I’m trying to compensate for the bike being just a little too big for me. The stem is about as short as it can go. I almost never ride in the drops so that’s not a concern.

I might try raising the handlebars a little bit and also raising the drops a little bit and see where that gets me. Compact bars might help too, I’ve been meaning to look at that as well.

Stem looks like a 100mm? You could easily go shorter, like as far down as 60mm. Also, consider moving to a 0 degree…I would bet that the the drop on yours is almost certainly contributing to your discomfort and the feeling that the bike is too big.

[jrenaut]

I don’t want to change bar style – I really do prefer riding on the brake hoods and don’t like the look of bullhorn bars.

I was told a while back by someone, I can’t remember who, that I couldn’t go shorter on the stem. But yes, I think it’s 100mm.

0 degree would mean the stem points a little up? I like the look of the stem parallel to the ground. But maybe if I get a shorter stem that would be enough.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@jrenaut 198995 wrote:

I don’t want to change bar style – I really do prefer riding on the brake hoods and don’t like the look of bullhorn bars.

I was told a while back by someone, I can’t remember who, that I couldn’t go shorter on the stem. But yes, I think it’s 100mm.

0 degree would mean the stem points a little up? I like the look of the stem parallel to the ground. But maybe if I get a shorter stem that would be enough.

I’ve generally run 90 stems on all my bikes, but they definitely can be way shorter. About the shortest you’ll find without getting into more specialty stuff is 60mm. And 0 degree would point “up”, but you could compromise and get something like a -6 degree? Looks like yours is a -15ish?

Also, your saddle looks decently slanted…how’s that affecting things? Could be forcing you into a position where you’re putting additional pressure on your arms/hands, but if it works for you, then obviously go with that.

[ImaCynic]

@jrenaut 198970 wrote:

Why doesn’t it look safe?

With the hand position being so high, the steering input may be amplified. Also, going over any bad road irregularities would be difficult to maintain good steering control, IMO.

[ImaCynic]

@jrenaut 198963 wrote:

I’m trying to compensate for the bike being just a little too big for me. The stem is about as short as it can go. I almost never ride in the drops so that’s not a concern…
.

Do you know what size is this bike? How much bigger is it compared with your other bike that you are comfortable riding?

[huskerdont]

Yeah, drop bars are the right bars for that bike. I can’t see why a shorter stem wouldn’t work, but if that’s true, the angled seat post might be enough to get you forward an inch or so.

[EasyRider]

@TwoWheelsDC 198997 wrote:

I’ve generally run 90 stems on all my bikes, but they definitely can be way shorter. About the shortest you’ll find without getting into more specialty stuff is 60mm. And 0 degree would point “up”, but you could compromise and get something like a -6 degree? Looks like yours is a -15ish?

Also, your saddle looks decently slanted…how’s that affecting things? Could be forcing you into a position where you’re putting additional pressure on your arms/hands, but if it works for you, then obviously go with that.

I think this is good advice, a shorter stem that will let you get the bars higher and closer you. I think thatÂ’s what saddle and lever tilt youÂ’ve tried already are getting at. IÂ’m no fitter, but given the amount of seat post showing in your picture, I wouldnÂ’t have guessed the frame is too big for you. IÂ’d have guessed the handlebars are too low for comfort.

Also, thatÂ’s cool frame!

[Author]

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