Bar top brakes

blueski

Hi all,

Following lots of useful advice on these forums, yesterday I ordered a Condor Fratello as my first road bike.

While being measured up, I noticed one of the show room models had two additional brake levers on the top (flat part) of the bars. The salesman explained some riders found these useful when coasting in traffic around town.

I'm now wondering if I should request these as an addition? They're only £20 extra, and seems they'd be useful for my commute, part of which is through London back streets with the odd pedestrian stepping out in front of me.

Since I've never seen these on a road bike before, wondering if they're actually useful, or a bit of a gimmick? Should I learn to ride with the time-tested levers, or add these to the spec?

Appreciate any advice.

Thanks!
Russell

teagar

It's a bit of a gimmick. You should be able to break easily with your hands ontop of the bake hoods anyway, which gives you a bit more control steering anyway.

peanut1978

for an extra £20 you cant go too wrong.

If you find you never use them, remove them and stick hem on ebay

Pokerface

They are used primarily in cyclo-cross. You'll even see them on the Pro's bikes for such races as Paris-Roubaix where the roads are so bumpy that it's difficult to move your hands off the top of the bars to the hoods for braking.

For everyday riding - they are a gimmick, but if you want them - get them. You can always remove them later on once you realize that they are somewhat pointless.

DaKid

I have a Specialized Tricross with these and I love them. I certainly don't use them all the time, and I do normally ride on the hoods, but it does mean that whatever hand position you're in, you're always near the brakes

richara3

I specifically asked for them NOT to be fitted to my tricross. Ive not cycled into anything in the last 1700 miles and dont regret not having them.

Your choice though

DaKid

LOL ... I've not even almost cycled into anything. It just makes my life easier

blueski

Thanks all - much appreciated. For £20, tempted to give them a try and stick them on eBay if they don't get used.

doyler78

I guess it depends where you spend your time. I'm rarely on the tops, usually only going uphill, so its not an issue for me however if you are on the tops alot then they'd be great. However if you are on the tops alot then a flat bar road bike would have been better. I've been down the flat bar road bike route and commute regularly and I've never found a single instance yet where I was better off with the flat bar but then again everyone's different.

Infamous

Seeing that they only cost £15, don't get them for £20.