Where to mount the Brifters??
 

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.

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.

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