BlueLineBike829

Hi all, had a question about hand position and braking on trek crossrip. I've been thinking about purchasing one, but have not been down to lbs to see one or try one in person. Anyway, I've got a lower end road bike now with drop bars and I like to ride with my hands on the hoods. My only issue is that I've got smaller hands and it's difficult for me to brake quickly due to the pull of the brake levers and the rim brakes. When I'm in the drops (rarely) I can brake just fine because I've got the leverage. My question is, would it be easier to brake on the hoods of the crossrip because it has disc brakes? Will it grab easier? Thanks in advance.

spivonious

I don't have a Crossrip, but I think the pull distance can be adjusted on those type of brakes.

One thing to think about: if you're on the hoods 99% of the time, why not get a different style of handlebar that lets you brake confidently?

BlueLineBike829

I like the versitility of the drop bars and am really comfortable with riding on hoods, my only issue was with the pull distance of the brakes and figured a higher end bike would have more sensitive brakes especially with disc brakes. I figured it would be the style of brakes and not so much the bars, but I could be wrong. I just need brake levers where the pull is shorter is all.

ShortLegCyclist

The other things you can do are to rotate the drop bars up a little, that will help both reaching the brake levers and actuating them from the hoods, but make it slightly harder from the drops, and you could instead physically move the brakes higher up onto your bars depending on their shape.

Also, you can just get a new set of drop bars that fit you better, and install your existing brifters onto them.

The Trek Crossrip series are nice bikes, but there is nothing special about their braking systems, they are stock brands and models.

The LTD version has TRP HY/RD discs, which I've heard good things about, but the Elite has Hayes CX and the Comp has Avid BB5, both of which you will find lots of complaints about.

The plain CrossRip according to Bikepedia has cantilevers, not discs at all.

Point being, discs are good for wet weather and mud, but in terms of hand position, that is user adjustable on any bike to some extent and I would not recommend buying a new bike if the only reason is different hand position for the brakes.

ShortLegCyclist

What brand are your current brakes and brake levers?

Bikes are almost entirely modular devices nowadays, they are a collection of components that can be switched out to suit individual preferences. If you don't like your brake levers, almost certainly they can be switched out to something you do like.

BlueLineBike829

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm looking for a bike that is versital and that I can take on long trips. I'm afraid that a flat style bar would get uncomfortable after awhile, and I've been on longer trips with my older mountain bike and it was uncomfortable. I like the drops on my road bike, but find that braking while on hoods is difficult. Other than that, I love the drop bars. I like that the crossrip has the interrupter levers too. I need something for various conditions and road surfaces and the crossrip is in my budget and seems like it would fit the bill. I was also interested in the trek ds as well, but am afraid of the flat bars and long distances. If I'm able to adjust the pull distance of levers on crossrip, I'm golden.

gregf83 

You'd have to try the brakes on the crossrip. I know the hydraulic disks on my MTB require less pressure than standard rim brakes, not sure if that applies to the mechanical disks on the crossrip.

BlueLineBike829

I've got an off brand road bike that I got for a song and a dance. I really don't want upgrade the bike and switch things out due to it getting expensive. I would rather just get a better bike. My style of riding is not aggressive per se, I just need durability and ease of use. Crossrip has a more upright position too, which I like. I'd like to stick with trek as I've had good luck in past.

BlueLineBike829

Thanks. Yeah, I'll just have to go try it out. I'll do it this week. Thanks again.

MRT2

If you are otherwise happy with your road bike, you can always mount a second set of inline brakes on the tops of the bars. My wife has a friend who has these who had the same problem as you and she really likes them as she gets better leverage braking from the tops than the hoods. It seems to me the issue isn't so much the brakes, as the brifters not being so good for folks with small hands. In a perfect world, brifters would be sized in small, medium, and large sizes.

mconlonx

No. No. Your welcome.

With the exception of the CrossRip LTD. As another member noted, the top of the line bike has the TRP Hy/Rd brakes, which actually would probably feel better than what you're used to, but the other disk brake models use lower-end mechanical systems which still require moderate hand strength to maximize stopping power.

Before considering a road bike with disk brakes, I'd suggest looking into different pads for your existing setup and seeing if there's any reach adjustment available. KoolStop red pads are what people 'round here like; depending on the brand of shifters there could be either a screw to set the reach adjustment or available shims to bring the levers back a bit which would give you better mechanical advantage.

BlueLineBike829

I'm just using my road bike as a comparison brake wise. I'm not exactly happy with my current road bike and want something that is more versatile.

MRT2

You should be able to mount a set of inline brake levers on a Cross Rip.

e0richt

I have a cannondale synapse with mechanical disk brakes and I also have a low end drop bar bike with rim brakes with kool stop pads... they actually brake very similarly.

with one thing to note...
I use brifters on both bikes (the low end used to only have brake with stem shifters separate)...
the brifters DO give me better leverage for stopping than the older style brake levers...

MRT2

Kool Stop Salmon. The stock pads on my brakes (Tektro Oryx) left something to be desired and especially stopping on descents took some effort. Switched to Kool Stop and haven't had a white knuckle descent since.

fietsbob

the As Is bike may not be perfect .. then you change parts , the Shop will help you, or at least Mine Tries.

there are drop bar brake levers made for smaller hands ..

with STI, a rubber wedge is inserted so the lever does not swing to the furthest reach from the drops.

Leisesturm

The brakes on any bike made in the last 15 years should be able to stop better than the tires can handle. Adjustment is the key. The advantages of mechanical discs over canti's or V-btakes or even dual pivot side-pulls are mainly in freedom from rim heating or wear and other issues of maintainance/usage. Actual stopping power will be adequate with all the lesser technologies mentioned. Any of them can throw the rider over the front wheel if used improperly. Who needs more than that. Tecktro brake levers are amazingly cheap for what they are. They have adjustable lever travel AND they come in a special size for small hands. Who needs more than that? Is there an echo in here?

valleyrider

I'm riding the Crossrip Elite currently. It's a great bike, especially as an entry level all-rounder IMO. I've put about 1,000 miles on it commuting, and maybe 500 recreational (some singletrack, lots of gravel, and lots of blacktop). No major problems that I haven't caused yet (don't forget to keep that drivetrain clean and lubed...) I don't have much experience with other disc brakes, but I really enjoy having them. I haven't actually adjusted the pull on the levers, since it fit pretty good when I bought it, but I have a CX race coming up and I am going to need to adjust the pull a bit just for a little more ease of use. I'm usually braking while I'm in the drops, though. That's where I ride most of the time. If I get the time to adjust them in the next few days, I will try and remember to update this to let you know how it goes.

Also, just beware that the Crossrip top-tube runs big, so make sure you try it out. I'm 5'10", and I think a 31" inseam, and ride a 54cm.

gsa103

One thing is that the brake lever shape is actually much different between the older style Claris/Sora/Tiagra & the newer style 105/Ultegra/Dura-Ace. Compare the lever shape on the Crossrip LTD to the lower Elite and Comp models. On the newer style the hood transitions more sharply to the brake lever. The new design is supposed to improve braking from the hoods, and I found it made a significant difference. Its probably worth trying several bikes just to evaluate the lever shape and find something that fits.

Also, SRAM levers have an adjustable lever reach, which can be helpful for small hands.

BlueLineBike829

Thanks all. I'm actually the same height with a 31" inseam and I was thinking 54cm. I've got a 56cm now and it's fine, but have heard the top tube on crossrip is long.

bmthom.gis

You could try adjusting the lever reach...
Ask a Mechanic: Adjusting reach on road levers

BlueLineBike829

I'll check it out.

Wittyname

My 2014 Crossrip (with cantis) came with bar-top brake levers, dunno if the newer ones still do so you may want to check with your lbs.

sizewise they do run a little big, I'm a shade under 6'2" with a 34in inseam and I ride a 58cm

BlueLineBike829

Test rode some bikes at LBS. All of them were great, but the one that fit me best and fit my needs was the Giant Revolt 2. Last year's model, but got it at a great price. Brakes are night and day compared to my rode bike, plus it's got interrupter brake levers on the tops. Very comfortable ride. How do you post pics on this forum?

Giant Doofus

This is exactly what I did on a Bianchi Volpe. I love the bike, but have small hands. Braking from the hoods was really difficult. The cross-top levers work really well and give me a heads up position in traffic.