Originally Posted by
cny-bikeman
Yes, you need to focus on what works for you rather than any general rule.
+1,000
While people may claim there's some kind of rule, that's only a starting place for shops setting bikes up for display, or to suit "average" riders.
Your preferred lever position and handlebar angle, depends on things like your riding style, handle bar height, arm length, and preferred hand position. Start with a neutral position, tape the cables in 2 or 3 places with electrical tape, then ride the bike a bit before taping the bars, and tweak the positions until it
feels best for you. Once you've dialed it where you want the levers, tape the bars.
BTW- you your concern about getting both levers to the same height, there are 2 easy ways,
Stand next the bars, and lower hour eyes until the levers are one behind the other. Adjust until the tops are parallel. OR -- put a ruler across the tops, and lower your eyes so the ruler lines up with the top of the bar, adjust until they're parallel.