i ride on the hoods in traffic. it gives me more control of the bike. i ride on the tops when i climb, and i don't want an extra pair of brake levers on my bars....ever.
these levers are installed on low-end road bikes to attract fearful newbs .... i've never seen any seasoned cyclist using them on the road. not once.
the old 10-speeds had brake extensions that allowed you to brake from the tops. every cycling book i've read while coming up said these extensions were dangerous and should be removed.
what's changed
?
ed rader
What we used to call "suicide levers" on the old ten speeds were dangerous. They were designed to actuate the regular levers with an insert and that took up valuable cable travel that could have otherwise been used for braking. The newer inline levers do not actuate the regular road levers and do not take up any cable travel. You still have full use of your regular road levers. Unlike the suicide levers of old, the inline levers actually work, and work good.
Not sure if I am a seasoned enough cyclist for you... 15+ years of cycling, numerous centuries under my belt and a few randonees. I am also a good mechanic. I installed a set of inline levers on my bike this winter and I love them. Especially on long descents.