Campagnolo Brake levers reach

lazycyclist

I have Campag Chorus brake levers on my bike and I find them very comfortable and like the functionality, however, I have an issue with reach (maybe not the correct term).

I have relatively small hands and find that if I am on the drops, my fingers aren't really long enough that I can safely pull the brakes without having to grab at them. If I'm on the hoods, I can brake but find because I'm really only covering the top half of the lever, I don't have strong enough leverage when I have to brake really strongly.

I can't see on the Campag website that there is any reach adjustment for these levers, so wondering if anyone else on here has a similar issue and if so, how were they able to remedy it?

I guess if it can't be solved, I can put up with it or change to a brand that does allow adjustability but that has cost implications that I dread to think of!

Cheers.

Chips Lovell

Campag shifters come with a shim that's meant to cater for larger hands. What I'd do first is check yours to see if that's installed, and if so, remove it.

lazycyclist

Thanks - I'll check it out

nak

If you squeeze the lever and push the silver button on the front LHS this pushes the lever further out (this is the adjustment for larger hands). Push back on RHS and it shortens again.

I have small hands and couldn't really get comfortable, so changed my handlebars to these as they have the shortest reach I could find. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fsa-omega-compact-black-handlebar/

smacl

+1 for the FSA omega bars, did the same myself. I thought the silver button was just to let you open the brakes up to let the tyre get past when you want to take the wheel off. Could be different on my setup though as I'm still on xenon 9sp.

Idunnowho

That button is to open the calipers in order to take the wheel off (could also be used to push the levers further away but doesnt really make sense as the calipers are now further from the rims and the levers are pretty far out in that setting).

What you could do is have the levers in the closed position but dont have the cailpers/pads too close to the rim (ie. leave a little 'play' in the lever before the pad hits the rim)... This should allow you to be able to hold the levers and pull them towards you without braking - you can sit in this position on an extended downhill - you will still have to reach to grab the levers but at least once you have them it will be more comfortable in the semi squeezed position - safer that way too!

lazycyclist

Thanks Nak, but are you sure about pressing that button? It sounds a lot like the quick release for the brake calipers. Campag calipers don't have a quick release so the cable tension is released via a button on the levers that does move the lever admittedly but not for reach purposes.

crumliniano

nak wrote: »

If you squeeze the lever and push the silver button on the front LHS this pushes the lever further out (this is the adjustment for larger hands). Push back on RHS and it shortens again.

If I understand you correctly I think you are mistaken. That silver button is for opening the calipers wider for when you are removing the wheels. When the lever is pushed farther out as you describe, it slackens the cable and allows the calipers to open wider.

I agree though that handlebars are probably the solution for the OP - either loosening the stem clamp and rolling the bars forward slightly or, failing that, changing to a different type of handlebar. I find classic drops (like 3t rotundo) give you more grip options when in the drops and allow you to position your hands closer to the levers. It's probably worth going into a bike shop and trying out a few different shaped bars - I don't imagine the issue is campagnolo specific.

nak

lazycyclist wrote: »

Thanks Nak, but are you sure about pressing that button? It sounds a lot like the quick release for the brake calipers. Campag calipers don't have a quick release so the cable tension is released via a button on the levers that does move the lever admittedly but not for reach purposes.

Yeah, sorry I use it to take wheels off. Thought you needed to press that to fit the shim for larger hands. I have seen people with the lever extended wondering why the reach was so long btw.

I did read something about fitting a shim in the lever for small hands, but figured it was safer and easier to change the bars.

lazycyclist

Thanks everyone for your replies.

RidleyRider

Sram Red have a method of adjusting the reach. Not sure about the cheaper models but defo saw a video for it. Side Show Bob is selling some Sram Red parts in the adverts forum here. So if you're willing to change that might be a start?