I just got my first drop-handlebar bike (pic), and am obviously getting to grips with hand positions. I understand having your hands on the 'brake hoods' is the standard, however my brakes do not look like they were designed for such use (perhaps because they are old?). Is it possible to add the plastic grips to existing brakes, or would the whole brake levers need replacing?

You can get hoods which cover old style brake levers, but they won't make them comfortable. Hoods as a riding position in themselves didn't really come about until the much larger STI levers. If you really want to get comfy hoods I'd recommend something like the Tektro aero levers. They're cheap and work just fine.

When holding the levers with old style brakes, riders generally rested their wrists on the bar and held the lever in their fingers.



Modern levers are designed with room for the entire hand:

keep in mind, that you might need a new bar for the new levers.
I'm in the position, that my current old style bar doesn't really work with the tektro levers ergonomically, and the reach on the bars is way too long.
No biggie really, road bars are not expensive.

Here's an idea.



Those are Tektro levers with concealed cables. $23 from Universal cycles. https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...89&category=10

You'll need new bar tape and you may want new brakes as well but maybe not.

EDIT: I see Nerull suggested the same thing...

Where's the park your picture was taken?

Thanks guys, that's really useful. I'll see how I get on as they are, then consider swapping the brakes.

Hove (UK)

Cane Creek replacement hoods for DiaCompe and Weinman levers. Check eBay, $10 US. Your levers are fine.

Also, don't place your hands on the hoods as shown in the photos beneath EM above, unless you understand where the nerves in the palm of your hand run. You need to use the meaty pads at the base of the palms, and not where the nerves pass. This involves a slight adjustment to the part that rests on the hoods. Grabbing the hoods as shown is only for short periods of time, depending on your anatomy and sensitivity to pressure on the nerves.

Recommend you do a web search on the topic of proper hand positioning on racing bikes, taking into consideration hand numbness.

Thanks Phil. I did try to research it, but all advice seemed to assume modern levers..