My daughter has a more recent version of my bike, so her bike has a grx setup whereas mine is 105 with cable brakes and IS brake mounts. I find the grx levers way more comfortable and her bike is exactly the same size and geometry as mine so I have to put it down to the levers.
Before I start messing around with replacing brakes and IS to flat mount adapters, can anyone suggest an alternative to 105 levers that might be equally comfortable? There is something about the grx levers where they just seem to fit perfectly in the hand and are comfortable to sit with weight on when you are going downhill
I was going to suggest GRX levers, they are, as you say, really nice to use and, I'm pretty sure, have the angles tweaked so they work more effectively than Shimano road levers when breaking on the hoods. Which isn't much help really, sorry 🙁
Which isn’t much help really, sorry 🙁
It sort of is though. In the end I may just need to find alternative brake calipers. I already have IS to Postmount adapters so a postmount brake that is compatible would also be a solution. Just trying to avoid changing too much if there is simpler solution
Won’t be the cheapest approach, but you could buy a pair of GRX shifters, BH90 hoses and post mount MTB callipers - just pick the callipers before buying the hoses as some are straight connect and some are banjo connect which would require one hose type or the other.
just pick the callipers before buying the hoses as some are straight connect and some are banjo connect which would require one hose type or the other
Thanks for the tip. Would have missed that
Are you wanting to go hydraulic at the same time?
Just buy GRX hydro shifters and mtb brakes
If happy with cable brakes i swear blind i saw a cable grx shifter on a bike yesterday
All GRX STIs are hydraulic - likely GRX drivetrain with 105 shifters like a Croix De Fer 30.
Are you wanting to go hydraulic at the same time?
Not really. I've got TRP HyRd's and they are great. The current cables are full length outers though so I would only need to change the caliipers to use GRXs. Was just wondering if there were levers out there that were just as good as the GRX were significantly more comfy than 105s. If there isn't anything obvious then as sillyoldman suggested I might just use GRX levers and some post mount hydraulic brakes
Just go GRX , you wont regret it.
Just go GRX , you wont regret it.
I suspect so. The setup on my daughter's bike is so much nicer. Looks like all i need is br-rs785 brakes (or something like that) and I'm good to go. Shimano have a nice compatibility chart to show you what you can mix and match. I'll keep looking but I'm not seeing a cable alternative that is very different from the 105s
Fancy using an MTB mech and wide range cassette? I haven't used these in anger yet but the lever feel paired up with Avid Road BB7s is nice.
https://www.microshift.com/models/sb-m110/
Having ridden 105 (last two versions), GRX 600 and setup the short reach version of those Microsoft levers the GRX is a country mile ahead of both. I'd like to try the GRX 800 Di2 as supposedly that takes advantage of the less restrictive Di2 requirements to have an even nicer shape.
It sort of is though. In the end I may just need to find alternative brake calipers. I already have IS to Postmount adapters so a postmount brake that is compatible would also be a solution. Just trying to avoid changing too much if there is simpler solution
I run GRX levers with an old set of single-piston XT calipers I had in the spares pile, works great.
I've got GRX levers with XT post-mount calipers. Works perfectly.
the GRX is a country mile ahead of both
Yep, that's how it felt to me too
I’ve got GRX levers with XT post-mount calipers. Works perfectly.
I think it's going to be either those or the rs785's, whichever ever I can find cheaper. I'll check cable routing though as having the banjo connector might help at the rear
Not a cheap option but I think the hope road calipers are available in both PM and flat mount.
I wouldn't bother with rs785s. In my experience they leak like seives.
I’d go SLX or XT (same forgings and pistons for generations of the same era - just different cosmetically and come with different pad specs).
I’d go SLX or XT
Price is the same but uses a banjo fitting instead. I'll see how the cable run goes
Not a cheap option but I think the hope road calipers are available in both PM and flat mount.
I had seen those but didn't know if they would be compatible with the levers. I guess it's to do with volume of fluid per pull. I'll take a look
The Shimano calipers are compatible across the road/gravel range which would point towards the oil volume being the same. Hope product page shows them as GRX compatible;
https://www.hopetech.com/products/brakes/gravel-cx/rx4-caliper/
There is something about the grx levers where they just seem to fit perfectly in the hand and are comfortable to sit with weight on when you are going downhill
Almost like someone designed them for the job!
It's really daft that manufacturers put 105 and other road levers on an off road bike
if the levers come with the calipers (they do on SRAM) you can get an adapter for IS->flat mount
I recently swapped from Ultegra to GRX on my gravel bike, the shape is just better especially when riding on the hoods on anything off road, none of the road levers compare in my opinion.
Anyone know if GRX levers are compatible with TRP Hylex calipers?
My daughter has a more recent version of my bike, so her bike has a grx setup whereas mine is 105 with cable brakes and IS brake mounts
Sounds like it's time for a new bike. By the time you spent money on new grx shifter, hoses, calipers, then realised your gears need replacing it's usually cheaper 😉 and less hassle to sell your bike and use that money to buy a new bike.
I’m using grx FM brakes with ultegra di2 levers.
no issues at all, the brakes feel great.
Have you tried angling your 105 shifters in a bit (or maybe a bit of a flared bar).
Made my 105 Di2 Audax bike much more comfortable...
Sounds like it’s time for a new bike
Not a chance. It's a Shand Stoater back from when they were brazed. I love it and it probably is time to replace the shifters now anyway
Have you tried angling your 105 shifters in a bit (or maybe a bit of a flared bar).
I had been wondering that and did mess around to see if it helped, but my daughter's bike is the same but with grx and the difference is crazy. A more flared bar is an interesting thought, will see what my pals have on their bikes to see how it feels
if the levers come with the calipers (they do on SRAM) you can get an adapter for IS->flat mount
I already have IS->Postmount adapters so I just ordered a postmount brake (XT 8100). Couldn't find those IS->flatmount adapters at a sensible price compared to just using what I had and the brake/caliper price wasn't really any different from buying mix and match parts
I have a pair of grx600 1x11 sti levers.
I took them off my gravel bike to fit 2x12 ultegra.
if you’re looking for 1x11 you could make me a reasonable offer?
they’ve done about 300 miles, are mechanically perfect, but have a 5mm scratch on the rh lever, which has been touched up. I was unaware of it until i looked at them just now, so i reckon it’s happened in the shop.
if you’re looking for 1×11 you could make me a reasonable offer?
Thanks, but I'm running 2x10 so it wouldn't work 🙁