Roadie brake levers too far for my little hands...will shims work on my brakes?!

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Roadie brake levers too far for my little hands...will shims work on my brakes?!

30 posts & 18 voices | Started 1 year ago by MountainMonkey | Latest reply from pfrumpy

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MountainMonkey - Member

I've just bought a Kona Major One, like this:

and overall I'm really pleased with it, the only problem is that when I'm on the drops I can't really reach the brake levers properly!

I've done a bit of research and found that you can get Specialized shims for Shimano levers, so I was wondering if they might work with these ss brake levers too? (Excuse my ignorance if its obvious to you they won't!)

I know I could change the bars to move the position of the levers, but I want as hassle free a solution as possible really.

The spec of the bikes is here:

Any advice gratefully received as when it comes to road bikes, I'm a bit clueless!

Thanks!

Posted 1 year ago #
Mister P - Member

The shim won't be the right shape for those levers I reckon. The shim will be too wide as the top of an STI is much wider than a brake lever.

Posted 1 year ago #
clubber - Member

The shims are usually designed to match specific shifter bodies so it's hard to say if they'll fit or not. It's worth a try IMO - just send them back if they don't. Otherwise, just diy some yourself - all you're doing is limiting how far the lever can extend - nothing clever!

Posted 1 year ago #
wwaswas - Member

these are short reach;

bottom of this page;

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shoppedal.html

[edit] you could also look at bars with a more traditional bend that woudl bring your hand closer to the brake levers than the ones fited currently.

[edit2] - they're the R100A ones...

Posted 1 year ago #
MountainMonkey - Member

Thanks guys, I think I'll try and diy some then. Thanks for the link wwaswas, but the I think I'll try the shim idea first.

Bit frustrating as I bought this bike 'cos I didn't think I'd have to change anything on it! Ah well, not a big deal I guess! Cheers!

Any ideas on best shim material? Cork maybe?

Posted 1 year ago #
clubber - Member

Yeah or any plastic/etc that you can easily shape.

Ooh just had a flash of inspiration!

Sugru: http://sugru.com/

Posted 1 year ago #
maxlite - Member

I've got Specialized slim shims (not sure if they still make them) on both bikes, but you could prob use
a small piece of plastic stuck in position.

I also use compact bars

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmichaelwright - Member

wine corks are the way ahead, easy to cut, easy to glue, easy to replace and you get to drink some wine

The rarer and tastier the wine the better they work of course.

Posted 1 year ago #
Tasso - Member

Using shims does mean you might find setup of the brakes more critical and any need for wheel truing is more of an issue. Sensible to give it a go for yourself though.

I've tried numerous different setups to regress the long lever reach of standard equipment bars and levers but those bars look as though they really won't help you.

The traditional non ergo drops suggested by wwaswas do help but have a look at Bontrager VR bars too which come in a variety of reach and width and work exceptionally well in more commute/offroady riding compared to the traditional shape which tend to be quite low for hand position on hoods or drops.

Oh and On-One midge bars work a treat too and will have you using the drops much more but are really quite wide.

Posted 1 year ago #
cynic-al - Member

This thread is agreat marker for those with deformed small hands...for when I am in power!

Posted 1 year ago #
coatesy - Member

If they're the same levers as on the Kona Sutra, then the reach can be adjusted by moving the position of a pin through the lever body. Was a long time ago that I last saw one, so memory's a bit hazy, but the customer wanted an even closer reach and I machined a pair in the lathe that solved the problem for him.

Posted 1 year ago #
MountainMonkey - Member

Thanks guys, will try the shim idea and if that doesn't improve it enough then I'll look at different levers / bars.

I don't mind fettling with the MTB, but I just want this thing to work with minimum fuss! Having said that mrwright's suggestion does have it's advantages and I'm almost certain my husband will be keen to find the best wine corks we can afford!

Thanks Tasso and wwaswas for the advice on bars / levers, I'll be coming back for more if the shims don't work.

Cheers!

Posted 1 year ago #
STATO - Member

If they're the same levers as on the Kona Sutra, then the reach can be adjusted by moving the position of a pin through the lever body. Was a long time ago that I last saw one, so memory's a bit hazy, but the customer wanted an even closer reach and I machined a pair in the lathe that solved the problem for him.

That pin isnt travel adjust, its the release to open up the brake caliper (as on Campagnolo levers, please tell me you knew that as a bike shop mechanic!).

Shimano shims wont work at all, totally different lever.

New bars would help a lot as those will put your hand a long way off the lever, neednt be expensive upgrade tho, road bars of the classic shape can be had cheaply if your not a brand whore.

Best option tho would be short reach levers, such as Cane Creek SCR-5C or the tektro equivalent.

Posted 1 year ago #
MountainMonkey - Member

Coatesy - yes, they do have that pin, but it doesn't make enough of a difference for my small, but perfectly formed and proportioned, hands. (and yes, I knew it was a quick release feature, but it still works for bringing them in a little!)

Posted 1 year ago #
dirtygirlonabike - Member

This thread is the same i was talking about on the bike today! I have the same problem, but mainly because my drop bars are very deep so im going to switch to shallow ones - had them on my winter road bike and it was much better than my nice one.

cynic-al, i have small hands but not deformed ones I won't vote to get you in power if you are handist.

Posted 1 year ago #
MountainMonkey - Member

Ok, thanks stato will look at levers and then bars if necessary. I'm not bothered about brands, like I say, I just don't really want the hassle.

Anyway, I'm off to find some high quality wine corks!

Cheers!

Posted 1 year ago #
igm - Member

If you have really small hands, why not ring Islabikes and ask where they source the levers for kids cross bikes? They might even sell you a pair.

Posted 1 year ago #
coatesy - Member

Stato- learn something new every day(even as a bike mechanic), never seen them on anything before, never seen them on anything else since. New parts still working perfectly a year on, customer happy, and i'm enlightened-everyones a winner:)Was actually told they were travel adjust by another mechanic.

Posted 1 year ago #
MountainMonkey - Member

Img, thanks for the idea, but honestly my hands aren't that small! I wear medium women's gloves - so for a girly, they're not that small, it's just the levers are quite far out on this bike. I used to have a Boardman road bike, which had Dura Ace levers and I had no problems with them at all.

coastey - I admire your graciousness mate!

Thanks again for all the advice everyone. I'll try a bodge tomorrow and if that doesn't work then I'll have a look at levers and bars.

Cheers again!

Posted 1 year ago #
igm - Member

I just like the brake levers Islabikes use on my little boy's bike - things of beauty

Posted 1 year ago #
aP - Member

Strangely my SO loves Campag ergolevers as she can reach the brake levers easily unlike STI levers where she can't.

Posted 1 year ago #
coatesy - Member

Wow, enlightened and gracious in the same 24hr period, i'm doing well. If I can sort some measurements out, i'll try to make you some of the parts I did for the other ones if you want.

Posted 1 year ago #
molgrips - Member

IME you can completely change the reach of the levers by rotating the bars a bit and moving the levers to a different position on the bends. Took me 18 months of messing to get a good position, then I had to dismantle it and reassemble it to transport the thing which put me back to square one! Cost me a lot of bar tape, but fortunately it's cheap enough. The stems and bars weren't as cheap, mind

To be honest though, reach adjust (like you get on even cheapo MTB levers) would really have helped give me more flexibility. Apparently ou only get it on Dura Ace, but I also had (and still have) Sora STI shifters that had a crappy plastic screw that did reach adjust. Does laeve the insides of the shifter quite open to the elements tho, but it's not exactly sealed anyway.

Posted 1 year ago #
MountainMonkey - Member

Igm - fair enough! Isla bikes are very cool! So to be fair, it could be worth a call - doubt I'd find them too close...

Coatsey - that would potentially be awesome! I feel a bit bad that you're more prepared to faff with my bike than I am though, so no pressure at all. I will send you an email though - cheers!

molgrips- yeah, I can imagine there is a fair bit of flexibility there, but I think it may be easier to give in and change the levers and bars rather than spend ages faffing - like I say, I can't be doing with the hassle really!

As an aside - I'm now thinking of putting the baby seat on this bike (that'll get me fit!), so I'm thinking I probably am best off finding a properly good solution with braking if I'm going to have the little one aboard too!

Those Tekro R100A levers look great, but they only have left hand ones in stock! Can anyone recommend another shop with them in stock or an alternative?

Also in addition to those suggested can anyone recommend any bars they've found particularly good that aren't too pricey?

Thanks again for all your help!

Posted 1 year ago #
holyhutzpa - Member

I'd definitely recommend changing the bars. I have some Nitto bars with a more traditional shape - the ones on that bike have a small s-bend below the lever clamp, which actually moves your hand further away from the levers. I can't get on with those at all... And I don't have "small" hands...
There's a big selection of "compact" road bars that you might like also, which means that the distance down into to the drops isn't as dramatic...

Posted 1 year ago #
molgrips - Member

but I think it may be easier to give in and change the levers and bars rather than spend ages faffing

You're going to have to faff with new bars just the same. Drop bars are intended to have loads of different positions I think, so which ever you get will require faffing just the same as what you have.

I thought I wanted really ergo bars, so got some.. and turned out (after 6 months) I was wrong and went back to the original one.. funny old things road bars.

Posted 1 year ago #
winterfold - Member

As aP said people with smaller hands prefer Campag

Posted 1 year ago #
hugh jardon - Member

I thought people with smaller hands prefer pint glasses with handles?

Posted 1 year ago #
coatesy - Member

YGM.

Posted 1 year ago #
pfrumpy - Member

Yes you can deffo ask Islabikes to sell you spares, it's £7 per side for their "custom" brake lever

Posted 1 year ago #

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