Who likes brakes on top of handlebars?

rcrampton

I really like the fact that Fuji added a second set of brakes on the top of the handlebars. Kind of like the "sissy bars" of years ago. When I tour I rarely put my hands on the drops of the bars where you can get a good grip on the STI levers. I usually ride with them on top and don't like the lack of good braking ability in that position. It's time to re-wrap my bars so I'm thinking of adding the second set of brake levers.

Have any of you guys ridden a bike with these on it? Anything you like / don't like about them?

NuCommuter

I'm no expert whatsoever. Just my personal experience: I asked for a single "interruptor" brake on the right side of my handlebars (which controls the front brake). This has worked out very nicely, since I'm a goofy-footed longboard skateboarder, used to commuting to work on a skateboard while looking over my left shoulder. On the bike, I can have my right hand on the brake when I look back. It's also perfect at stop lights, when I can stand up straight while holding the bike via the brake and leaving my right foot clipped in. I don't miss having the similar brake on the left, because I'm usually on the drops while pedaling, and it frees up room on the handlebars for my headlight and bike computer.

NuCommuter

Little Jackie

MyFelt F100 came with cyclocross (brake) levers on the top of the handlebars and also Sti shifters (combination brake and gear change) on the drops. I rarely use the sti's

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Jackie

Road Bike: Felt F100

XS Ladies Giant Upland (modified)- see it go!
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html

sogood

Which company actually have these cross bar brake handles? I don't see them in Campy nor Shimano catalogues. Am I blind somewhere?

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

gclark8

Look in Specialised, Tektro, Felt catalogues.

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Cheers,
George.

sogood

They only sell fully assembled bikes don't they? I was wondering where can one get those that's compatible with common Campag and Shimano groups.

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

gclark8

OK, You are in Sydney,

Specialised/Avanti, (Specialised)
BiCorp, (Tektro)
Southcotts, (Promax)

All sell them in Aus.

I'll bet you live at home? What did your last servant die from?

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Cheers,
George.

sogood

Ok, thanks. I found one called "auxillary brake lever". I guess that's the one.

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

rcrampton

I do have a problem with space on my handlebars. I have a dual headlight and computer. If I add the brakes I'm not sure I'll have room for my hands anymore!

Thanks for the one brake lever idea. That might be just the ticket. I'll keep it rolling around the back of my head until I commit.

Velotour

I am not advising anyone to do this, but I toured all the way across the USA east to west using only the front brake. It worked out just fine. I just had to remember to start braking well ahead of time coming down hills to stops. On flat stretches at intersections and other stops it was just fine. However, in wet weather it was a different story. Sometimes it was like there were no brake at all which got kind of scary. But then again there was hardly any really wet weather. My advice is to always have both brakes working in good order and make sure they are adjusted with plenty of rubber.

Velotour

I have always had only front and rear brakes, one grip for each, not on the top. When I tour I wrap my handle bars for maximum comfort, not for the accepted look. I buy a length of pipe insulation at the hardware store and cut it to fit from the brake handles to the handle bar stem and fit it on. Then I wrap it tight but not too tight along the full length of the insulations pieces with two to four layers of duct tape. It looks really neat if done right. That and a cheap pair of kid leather gloves from Dollar Store or Dollar General will supply a ride far more comfortable that any wrapping and cycling gloves from a bike store, where hand comfort is the matter.

I have tried the so-called cycling gloves and wrapping from the bike stores. They cannot hold a candle to what I just told you. The cycling gloves and wrapping from bike stores might give you the accepted look and sometimes rather expensively at that, but when long distance touring you will discover the need for more comfort at pressure points, and sooner or later you will have to decide between what looks cool and what is really effective in relieving your pain. What I just told you that I do will almost eliminate your palm pain. It will do something for bent at the wrist discomfort, and it can eliminate the palm pressure pain by 95 %. I ought to know, and I would not tour without it. Of course you have to move and adjust your hand positions but it is a real boon to relief of palm pressure.

I can also tell you how to relieve seat pain almost 98%.

badger_biker

My Specialized Sequoia came with them and I've grown very fond of them, especially in urban areas and on heavy use trails. I added a cheap Nashbar pair to my commuter and a Specialized pair to my touring bike. I find them very convenient when I'm more upright to check heavy traffic, etc. They can pose a space issue as I have run out of room for aero bars due to the levers and handlebar bag mount, but I feel lost on my one bike without them now and will fear I will rear end something when I'm riding that one.

Velotour

It sounds like your brakes are exactly what you need and they are probably the better way to go. As for me I just use a touring bike and I go with the traditional brake configuration which may not be as good as what you have for braking. On long tours the brakes are just not always that much of an issue for me. I toured across the USA east to west using only the front brake. There are so many open stretches where one just goes and goes and goes without touching the brakes. In a very hilly area I would want both brakes. But brakes on top would get in the way of the special padding I like to put on the handlebars. Comfort is very important on long tours. For me it is anyway.

rcrampton

Thanks for all of the replies folks. I've been considering a switch to butterfly handlebars which would also help with space to mount brakes, headlight, etc. and still leave room for my hands.

It looks like I need to spend some time thinking through hand position / space issues before I make a move. Thanks for the replies!