Mountain Biking - longer brake levers - help

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6stitches
08-01-06, 03:25 PM
Need a solution, currently using sram X.9 grip shifters and find that my Avid SD 7 lever is a bit short. It's too far if i am off my shifters, it was ok when i was using my rapid fire.

1) is it possible to change just the lever? or change out the whole thing to longer levers
2) I search and don't see many long break levers on the market, any recommendations?

thanks,

jag89
08-01-06, 06:02 PM
how many fingers are you breaking with?
seely
08-01-06, 06:14 PM
I think Shimanos, Tektros and Tektro TRP tend to be a little longer... not much though. Maybe try to find some old school Avid Ultimates? I know they were like motorcycle levers.

6stitches
08-02-06, 09:56 PM
I like to break with 2 fingers, but if i am off my grip shifters i can barely get one on. I think there are some cycle-cross levers that I might look at. I love my grip shifter though. gotta have them.
mx_599
08-02-06, 10:05 PM
I like to break with 2 fingers, but if i am off my grip shifters i can barely get one on. I think there are some cycle-cross levers that I might look at. I love my grip shifter though. gotta have them.
i like to brake with my index. anyway, i won't give up my grip shift either and i use hope brakes. they don't look particularly long but i have no problems.

try cutting your grip down 11mm or so and shifting the grip shift and brake lever perch over 11mm or so.
6stitches
08-03-06, 04:16 PM
going to go look for lever options, and then ensue cutting (shortening of the gripshifter rubber). so much little custom work in my bike *sigh* maybe i got to stop being a picky punk-beach.
mx_599
08-03-06, 04:57 PM
going to go look for lever options, and then ensue cutting (shortening of the gripshifter rubber). so much little custom work in my bike *sigh* maybe i got to stop being a picky punk-beach.
no, i meant your grip, not the gripshift. unless you're andre the giant, i am sure you can sacrifice some rubber grip.

also, it's not the end of the world if your fingers are on the shifter. it's called learning how to control your hand motion in the face of a changing external stimulus.

people always b*tch about shifting when they didn't mean to. okay, whatever...i'd sure hate to see their throttle control on a motorcycle. (hmmm, kind of like doug henry at budds creek!)
dminor
08-03-06, 05:18 PM
no, i meant your grip, not the gripshift. unless you're andre the giant, i am sure you can sacrifice some rubber grip.I see his point, though. Cutting down the grip doesn't move the lever any closer since the perch is on the other side of the shifter body.

My best advice (for what it's worth) is to upgrade to strong enough brakes to where you can count on one- or two-fingering them for all of your stopping power. Then reach is less of an issue.
mx_599
08-03-06, 05:33 PM
I see his point, though. Cutting down the grip doesn't move the lever any closer since the perch is on the other side of the shifter body.
i don't? it's not the end of the world if your fingers are on the shifter....so if he cuts the grip it will move everything more towards the outside. i am almost willing to bet if we could see his hand grip that he would have close to a finger's width before much of any of his hand/fingers are significantly on the shifter. i have played with the grip length on mine. i think there is more play to be had if he doesn't mind some of his hand/fingers always on shifter

just my opinion