Setting the Sti's and bar position.

tk46hal

Hi All,
I could do with your thought on the position of the sti's, bars etc to get me more leverage on the brake from the hood position. Either I have small hands, weak arms, which I don't but they feel quite heavy to pull. The brake is the new Hope V-Twin hydraulic disc system and are fitted correctly, the cables that operate the cylinders are all free moving etc but just need that different angle, I think to get me more umph? Braking from the lower position from the main brake lever, the brakes are excellent.

Here is the bike how it is at the moment. I've tried to take the picture straight on.

Thanks.

Strith

Generally looks about right, depends on comfort really. You know you can get inserts for your 105 levers to adjust the reach to the lever, that might help if you have small hands. They shoukd have come with the bike if you bought it new

turnerjohn

I'd say the brakes need some bedding in....do few very hard stops from high speed and they should get far far better with a few miles. They could also got oil or grease on the pads / rotters which will reck them....try some disk clearer if they are.

sweet looking x-bike there

jotko

Strith wrote:

Generally looks about right, depends on comfort really. You know you can get inserts for your 105 levers to adjust the reach to the lever, that might help if you have small hands. They shoukd have come with the bike if you bought it new

I use the inserts on both my bikes, makes a big difference if you have Beadle hands.

tk46hal

Thanks All, But I will re check the cable routing to make sure the inner cable isn't getting caught up inside the outer cable etc because I really think that the brake lever should feel lighter to pull on or if anyone else has any suggestions?

mallorcajeff

If really unsure £10 in a good bike shop will solve it. Not worth skimping on the brakes if your unsure or something's not right worth getting them checked by someone who knows.

tk46hal

Well,
Unwrapped the bars this evening, checked the outer hose and changed the inner cables and even oiled. Re set the hoses into the Hope's V Twins and all done correctly. Maybe, they are just heavier to brake from regular cable brakes or should I try some of the expensive Gore outer cable to see if that makes it feel lighter?
Thanks and any advise would be greatly received.

Monty Dog

Might be the angle of the photo, but the bars look to be rotated too far up and the levers too far down - lining -up the ends of the levers with the ends of the bars is old school and modern bars and levers aren't really designed for this. Shimano levers are really designed for the hoods to be inclined slightly upwards.

racingcondor

Monty Dog wrote:

Shimano levers are really designed for the hoods to be inclined slightly upwards.

Really? I'm with the OP and go for the flat top set up. Old school to me is the bottom of the drops parallel to the ground (really doesn't work with modern compact bars).

Not saying I'm right or that one way is better but visually flat bar tops and hoods look so much better to me.

OP - I recommend the small hands inserts for the levers. They'll allow you to get a lot more finger around the lever and therefore better grip. Braking shouldn't be a problem on a road bike though, I've stood bikes of all types on their front wheel (OK, not track bikes, a front brake is a requirement ).

Monty Dog

Why not try rotating the bars upwards a little for a ride around the block and see how you get on?

tk46hal

Monty Dog wrote:

Why not try rotating the bars upwards a little for a ride around the block and see how you get on?

Yes! I've now done that and moved the shifters higher up. This has certainly improved my braking position on the hoods. I've also re routed using better outer cables as the my whole reason was to get me more leverage on the shifters for breaking with a smoother action. The brake system is the new Hope V Twin hydraulic system and it has some very tight cable angles and I think I now have it the best it can be. The brake lever feels better but certainly not crisp as you get from a cable rim brake and sti combination. I suppose I'm relying on the Hope pistons to control the overall feel of the shifters.

Thanks for you help!

litwardle

tk46hal wrote:

Thanks All, But I will re check the cable routing to make sure the inner cable isn't getting caught up inside the outer cable etc because I really think that the brake lever should feel lighter to pull on or if anyone else has any suggestions?

You said they are hydraulic discs, in that case there are no inners or outers just a hose in which the Hydraulic fluid sits.

rich164h

Monty Dog wrote:

Might be the angle of the photo, but the bars look to be rotated too far up and the levers too far down - lining -up the ends of the levers with the ends of the bars is old school and modern bars and levers aren't really designed for this. Shimano levers are really designed for the hoods to be inclined slightly upwards.

My thoughts entirely. The photo isn't quite straight though so it is hard to tell.

Monty Dog

Pleased to be of assistance. You could also try fitting Nokon cables - the handle tighter turns better and have less friction.

tk46hal

[imghttp://www.wickedcycles.co.uk/ekmps/shops/wickedcycles/resources/Design/hope-v-twin-spe-crux-seb-8-.jpg][/img]

litwardle wrote:

tk46hal wrote:

Thanks All, But I will re check the cable routing to make sure the inner cable isn't getting caught up inside the outer cable etc because I really think that the brake lever should feel lighter to pull on or if anyone else has any suggestions?

You said they are hydraulic discs, in that case there are no inners or outers just a hose in which the Hydraulic fluid sits.

They are the new Hope V Twin brakes! They operate a cable from the sti then the pistons operate the fluid!

tk46hal

[imghttp://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8542424720_d398fa3d9c_k.jpg][/img]