Bicycle Mechanics - Where to mount the Brifters??

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Where to mount the Brifters??

Conundrum
05-03-06, 07:42 AM
Is where you mount brifters on your handle bars strictly a matter of personal preference and fit - or is there some sort of equation or something that determines it. Just looking around it seems that I see everything from mounted so that the hoods are basically horizontal extentions of the bars to 45 degree angles to the bars.

Thanks
C.

Landgolier
05-03-06, 08:47 AM
mostly preference; depending on the shape of your bars, you sometimes have to balance angle of the hoods with being able to reach the levers from the drops. I always mount them up, tape down the cables, and then go for a ride with the tool in my pocket before taping up the bars.
Mentor58
05-03-06, 04:51 PM
Is where you mount brifters on your handle bars strictly a matter of personal preference and fit - or is there some sort of equation or something that determines it. Just looking around it seems that I see everything from mounted so that the hoods are basically horizontal extentions of the bars to 45 degree angles to the bars.

Thanks
C.
A good starting point is having the bottom of the levers even with the bottoms of the drops. An easy way to do that is to put a ruler along the bottom of the drops, and slide the brifters up / down until the tips of the levers touch the ruler. It's also usefull for getting them level, and checking where they are currently set before changing handlebars. I also am a big fan of going for some test rides with an allen wrench to make sure they are "Right" before I tape the bar up.

The "where" is a matter of reach, flexibility, riding style, etc. (I imagine that looks could also factor in for some folks). I do know that flipping your handlebars over and mounting the brakes backwards isn't going to get any OCP points, but other than that, find what fits you.

Steve W

Hope