Bike Forums - Help needed with vintage brakes too hard to pull

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- - Help needed with vintage brakes too hard to pull (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1245355-help-needed-vintage-brakes-too-hard-pull.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferRosa (Post 22381507)

This is just me, maybe not you... If it were me, I would raise them on the bar, so I could ride on the hoods, brake from there, and still reach the lever in an emergency when in the drops. I very seldom brake when I'm in the drops. First, I'd make sure that that bar is the right bar for me and not something that makes it even more difficult for me to apply the brakes, like crit bars ... which really suck for me, maybe not you.

I almost never ride on the hoods. Somehow I never thought of riding on the hoods when I got my first road bike a very long time ago, and so I got used to only riding on the drops. When I realized this during my first touring trip, I thought it was a kinda funny. The only bike I use the hoods on is my touring bike, and the levers are extremely light and offer no resistance whatsoever (modern Shimano 105 brifters). Therefore, if I wanna brake on the hoods, the levers really have to be light on the hands. If not, I can't do it. Hope this explains the reasoning behind it.

[QUOTE=Mushrooom;22382214]I almost never ride on the hoods. Somehow I never thought of riding on the hoods when I got my first road bike a very long time ago, and so I got used to only riding on the drops.
So correct me if I am wrong but I think you can only reach the lever with your index finger.
This would be pretty normal and is how I ride.
Brake manufacturers would have known this.
That's why we have or had long pull levers.
I have switched and the difference is night and day. Nowadays riding the hoods is normal even at speed and so the brakes levers changed.
I would suggest trying some. They are cheap and if you can brake better brilliant if not its not a big loss. And quality ones look very good.

[QUOTE=blamester;22387476]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushrooom (Post 22382214)

I almost never ride on the hoods. Somehow I never thought of riding on the hoods when I got my first road bike a very long time ago, and so I got used to only riding on the drops.
So correct me if I am wrong but I think you can only reach the lever with your index finger.
This would be pretty normal and is how I ride.
Brake manufacturers would have known this.
That's why we have or had long pull levers.
I have switched and the difference is night and day. Nowadays riding the hoods is normal even at speed and so the brakes levers changed.
I would suggest trying some. They are cheap and if you can brake better brilliant if not its not a big loss. And quality ones look very good.

Are you suggesting installing some modern levers?

[QUOTE=Mushrooom;22387690]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blamester (Post 22387476)

Are you suggesting installing some modern levers?

Well basically I think you have two options.
Simplest is swap in a dual pivot and that should work better with your current lever.
Or try a long pull lever which is basically a non aero lever with you current caliper.
You have a short pull lever and long pull caliper
and as you know that doesn't work well.
If you don't mind tinkering try both options and see which one works best. And there will be a difference.

Do you guys think there's a market for the Galli parts if I decide to go more modern and install a Shimano 600 group on this bike? I don't want to make money off the Galli parts, just make sure I can pay for the new ones.

Steel Charlie, please leave this thread.