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How many fingers for braking with Shimano STI Hydraulic

ctp046ctp046 Posts: 44
in Road general
Did that thing where I started thinking too much about what I was doing and now not sure what the most "natural" way to do this is.

Anyways, how many fingers do you use for braking with hydraulic discs and what does your hand position look like? I'm thinking more for CX (which is the main reason I ride a drop bar bike) but also for road in general.

Two fingers for braking and then leave those two on the front of STI lever? Two fingers for braking but move one finger back behind the front of the STI lever when you're not braking? One finger braking?

Posts

  • fenixfenix Posts: 5,437
    On the hoods or on the drops ?

    Really you're overthinking it.
  • joe_totale-2joe_totale-2 Posts: 1,195
    Do whatever is comfortable for you
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 8,868
    As Joe and Fenix say. Just don't go all out on hydraulic brakes as they lock up wheels easily compared to rim
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • imposter2.0imposter2.0 Posts: 11,089
    fenix said:

    Really you're overthinking it.

    ^^^ this.

  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 5,458
    Due to distribution in braking force, the front brake needs two fingers and the back only needs one.
  • joe_totale-2joe_totale-2 Posts: 1,195
    First.Aspect said:

    Due to distribution in braking force, the front brake needs two fingers and the back only needs one.

    Don't forget to modify depending on the size of your rotors, 140mm at the back should be 1.5 fingers, 160mm means 1 finger.
  • imposter2.0imposter2.0 Posts: 11,089
    joe_totale-2 said:

    First.Aspect said:

    Due to distribution in braking force, the front brake needs two fingers and the back only needs one.

    Don't forget to modify depending on the size of your rotors, 140mm at the back should be 1.5 fingers, 160mm means 1 finger.
    Half a finger is not going to reach the lever...
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 5,458
    imposter2.0 said:

    joe_totale-2 said:

    First.Aspect said:

    Due to distribution in braking force, the front brake needs two fingers and the back only needs one.

    Don't forget to modify depending on the size of your rotors, 140mm at the back should be 1.5 fingers, 160mm means 1 finger.
    Half a finger is not going to reach the lever...
    Depends which half.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 1,131
    imposter2.0 said:

    joe_totale-2 said:

    First.Aspect said:

    Due to distribution in braking force, the front brake needs two fingers and the back only needs one.

    Don't forget to modify depending on the size of your rotors, 140mm at the back should be 1.5 fingers, 160mm means 1 finger.
    Half a finger is not going to reach the lever...
    Depends on the length of the complete finger doesn't it?
  • imposter2.0imposter2.0 Posts: 11,089
    johngti said:

    Depends on the length of the complete finger doesn't it?

    True, but unless you've got fingers like Edward Scissorhands, I still think it will be a problem...

  • rebartlerebartle Posts: 1
    Sometimes when I'm chilled out I use my toes.
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