i'm putting the finishing touches on my conversion and the last thing i need is a brake lever. it'll be going on a set of nitto b201 risers. i was leaning toward the goldfinger but had second thoughts because of the 1-finger actuation. during longer rides that require a lot of braking, wouldn't your finger/hand/forearm get really tired? i'm also looking into a tektro cross lever. being able to use 2 or 3 fingers with a cross type lever should be a little easier, right? would like to hear feedback from anyone using a goldfinger. thanks.

I used the Goldfinger all of last year. It is short so getting leverage is difficult, and your finger can kinda get strained. The one thing that I did not like about it was how it clamps to the bar, the clamp is so large that it needs to be on a completely straight section of bar. I had difficulty getting it onto my riser bar in the spot I wanted. I no longer use it because I have run no brakes at the moment.

have you considered the dirty harry?

the width of the clamp is something to consider to be sure. I have not had problems with the one-finger action, but maybe i've got me one strong finger.

I like how solid it is, I use 2 fingers (middle one in the hook). I don't like how sharp the edges of the clamp are - I should really file them.

thanks for the replies. those were the things i was worried about.

I was also considering the goldfinger, but ended up getting the tektro cross lever instead. My reasoning was that while the goldfinger may look cooler and work well enough under normal circumstances, I would be using my front brake mostly as an emergency brake and, in an emergency, I want a brake I can mash back as quickly as possible.

For slowing descents and general speed modulation I would think the goldfinger would be perfectly usable, I just don't think it's designed for those "OH SH-" moments.

My $0.02.

i hear you. anyone know what diameter cross lever i'd need for the nitto 201's?

My friend has one he doesn't use but won't let me have, it makes me mad.