Classic & Vintage - If I convert to bullhorns, do I need new levers?

Hi folks,

I recently picked up a Nishiki Rally and I'm finding a drops a bit odd (I've ridden mountain bikes for the last 20 years or so :) ).

So I've been looking around and figure that some Nitto Riser might work for me. And I realize I need a 25.4 mm bar (spent some time searching the forum before posting).

What I don't know is, do I need to switch my brake levers? Or will the existing ones work?

Thanks in advance.

Bjorn

you'll need new levers with the nitto risers. With bullhorns you wouldn't necessarily need new ones. Drop bar levers can be reverse mounted on bullhorn bars, but typically won't even fit on risers. The clamp size is smaller for risers.

Thank you, that's exactly the info I was looking for!

Much appreciated.

Bjorn

Hi folks,

I recently picked up a Nishiki Rally and I'm finding a drops a bit odd (I've ridden mountain bikes for the last 20 years or so :) ).

Bjorn

You should try riding on the hoods, it's more comfortable than the drops, and it feels more stable. It would give you the same hand position as bullhorns, without changing a thing.

You should try riding on the hoods, it's more comfortable than the drops, and it feels more stable. It would give you the same hand position as bullhorns, without changing a thing.

+1 precisely

I've tried a number of different hand positions.

Unfortunately, none of them seem quite comfortable. I'm certain part of that is due to having more weight forward (vs a full suspension mountain bike) part is probably the fact that the bars are much narrower than what I'm used to).

I may try changing the rotation of the drops a bit to see if that helps :)

I have found that I am most comfortable with the top of the bars level (see below). This also makes the drops a little slanted, which keeps your wrists straighter when you are in them. You might also need a shorter stem.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/big_heineken/Bikes%209-29-09/Bikes%209-29-09b/P9292448.jpg

b_h: Thanks. My brakes look much different (much lower end) and I don't think they'd be as comfortable as they seem to come out much "straighter" from the bars. I'll definitely try tilting the bars up a bit and testing. I think it will be more comfortable :)

I may take some photos tonight if I still find it bad. Course it could just be a matter of the bike not having broke me in yet ;)

Bjorn

Edit: found an image from the original catalog (my bike is less shiny of course ;) )
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3331/3266394996_c1eeaed1fa.jpg

Ok, I set my bars so the top is flat. Definitely better than before!

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_2RrwHCfRGNE/St5q57xbhlI/AAAAAAAANrE/-c2ECMOEcko/s400/CIMG5944.JPG

You should try riding on the hoods, it's more comfortable than the drops, and it feels more stable. It would give you the same hand position as bullhorns, without changing a thing.

+1 , and with drops, you have multiple possibilities for altering your hand position, to obviate fatigue.

+1 , and with drops, you have multiple possibilities for altering your hand position, to obviate fatigue.

You missed post #6.

You'd be much better off mounting a better set of levers - preferably aero-routed - if you want to ride the tops, as you would with bullhorns.

Those Dia-Compe/Weinmann levers aren't too comfortable from the top - I consider them a drops-only brake lever design.

-Kurt

You could try these:

http://www.ebikestop.com/prodimages/BR7210.jpg

http://www.harborcountrybike.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BKLR1121&click=2

They might just be the most comfortable brake levers ever made.:thumb:

Those Dia-Compe/Weinmann levers aren't too comfortable from the top - I consider them a drops-only brake lever design.

-Kurt

+1. Also, the combination of hood-less levers and thick foam bar-wrap makes things even less comfortable; hoods and a change to ordinary bartape would make for a much smoother transition and natural grip.:)

Joseph

Good suggestions. I actually just got back from a LBS that deals mostly in older bikes.

Picked up some tape and already cut that foam crap off. Now to try my luck at wrapping the bars without making a mess of it :)

I'll post a photo when I'm done, it might be good for a laugh ;)

Overall it feels better, though I haven't ridden the bike yet.

Looks ok from far away:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2RrwHCfRGNE/St-6zbmRa8I/AAAAAAAANsY/s7NdHOF0uDI/s400/DSC_6528.JPG

Not as good up close. I wasn't sure how to make the ends stick, ended up using a bit of electrical tape.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2RrwHCfRGNE/St-64N-j9XI/AAAAAAAANsc/x7vBQtgugIM/s400/DSC_6526.JPG

Overall it feels better, though I haven't ridden the bike yet.

Looks ok from far away:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2RrwHCfRGNE/St-6zbmRa8I/AAAAAAAANsY/s7NdHOF0uDI/s400/DSC_6528.JPG


Looks like a decent job - but I think you'd definitely find brake levers with hoods more comfortable, and probably safer. I bet you have trouble braking effectively unless your hands are in the drops.