braking from the hoods

redddraggon

ColinJ wrote:

On yesterday's ride I tried braking from the hoods using just my index fingers.

Am I using the hoods wrong? I normally only have my thumb around the hoods and my four fingers are around the brake levers. OK, I'm not getting the full leverage using the top of the levers but I can move the levers nearly all the way to the bars from this position.



I guess someone is going to tell me I'm holding onto the hoods wrong - but I'm not changing.

Gerry Attrick

Hi Benny,

What you describe is worrying. On a new bike, the brakes tend to have a bit more initial bite which in my experience lessens slightly as the rims and blocks bed in. Although I have the dreaded arthritis in my fingers, I can still brake seriously hard from the hoods. Have you tried the obvious of checking how smoothly the cables operate and making sure there are no too sharp bends in them? As an ex motorcyclist of 35 years, I know that can cause a huge inefficiency. Likewise check the caliper pivots for smooth operation. Lastly make sure the blocks are contacting the rim centrally and not overlapping the braking surfaces.

Give the braking surfaces of rim and blocks a good wipe with isopropyl alcohol to make sure they are clean and grease free.

I've never tried the Koolstop blocks as I've never needed them and run standard Shimano items.

Best of luck.