Thanks I knew one of my bikes brake levers needed a little tweeking. A bike mechanic looked at it and said the angle was fine. I forgot to show them that my hands are smaller than theirs so I'm stretching my fingers more to brake. I did have the same issue with the seat saddle angle. The mechanic adjusted it to suit them when they tested out the bike after servicing it but didn't put it back how I had it. I'm a woman and need the nose slightly tilted downward but the tester needed it perfectly flat. I will remember to get them to keep this in mind when I get the bike serviced or I will be spend more time having to fix things after a service or returning to get them to set things right. Good bike mechanics at a good bike shop do invite you to return for the extra tweeking after a service.
The owner at Sequim bike studio gave me the option to be present when he unboxed my new Salsa, which I very gladly accepted, he went through everything, wheels in truing stands to get 100 percent perfection , adjusted the brakes exactly like you mentioned for perfection, the derailleurs…… talk about massive customer service/ product representation….. I was so impressed and even though I was the neighborhood bike mechanic….. 50 down to 45 years ago, I was rather puzzled by the “ new “ bikes….. but now I have confidence. Proper free play is essential for any lever, any pedal…..:-)
Going even one step back, I was thinking you'd say moving levers in along your bar so you're not grabbing half way down with no leverage! 😂 We take this basic setup for granted, but I'm astounded by how many people I see with lever mounts slammed up against their grips without properly aligning with their index/middle fingers. Need to have your finger grab the end of the lever to have maximum leverage. Reach adjustment is then just fine tuning for comfort. Really enjoying your content since I got my HSD!
This is a great tip, Thank you! Is there a similar adjustment for the gear shifting leavers? I sometimes feel like my under or over articulation of the two gear shifting leavers is the fail point for when my bike does not settle in successfully to the intended gear.
Depends on your grip strength and what you are carrying. I have pretty good grip strength and need 2-3 fingers when braking with my 3 kids and 100# bike
This is correct. It's been years and years since you braked with more than one finger. My petite 95 lb wife can stop her Trek Fuel with Shimano SLX brakes on a dime, with one finger. Modern brakes and their master cylinders do not require more than one finger Force.
One of my levers has a long reach-now I know how to fix it myself. Thank you!
Thanks I knew one of my bikes brake levers needed a little tweeking. A bike mechanic looked at it and said the angle was fine. I forgot to show them that my hands are smaller than theirs so I'm stretching my fingers more to brake. I did have the same issue with the seat saddle angle. The mechanic adjusted it to suit them when they tested out the bike after servicing it but didn't put it back how I had it. I'm a woman and need the nose slightly tilted downward but the tester needed it perfectly flat. I will remember to get them to keep this in mind when I get the bike serviced or I will be spend more time having to fix things after a service or returning to get them to set things right. Good bike mechanics at a good bike shop do invite you to return for the extra tweeking after a service.
The owner at Sequim bike studio gave me the option to be present when he unboxed my new Salsa, which I very gladly accepted, he went through everything, wheels in truing stands to get 100 percent perfection , adjusted the brakes exactly like you mentioned for perfection, the derailleurs…… talk about massive customer service/ product representation….. I was so impressed and even though I was the neighborhood bike mechanic….. 50 down to 45 years ago, I was rather puzzled by the “ new “ bikes….. but now I have confidence. Proper free play is essential for any lever, any pedal…..:-)
Always great content and tips!
Another brake comfort thing I did for myself: bought silicone grips! They’re so soft
Going even one step back, I was thinking you'd say moving levers in along your bar so you're not grabbing half way down with no leverage! 😂 We take this basic setup for granted, but I'm astounded by how many people I see with lever mounts slammed up against their grips without properly aligning with their index/middle fingers. Need to have your finger grab the end of the lever to have maximum leverage. Reach adjustment is then just fine tuning for comfort. Really enjoying your content since I got my HSD!
Going to try this out today, thanks.
@@carah-tychewicz awesome keep me updated
@@BikeShopGirl sorry for the late reply. It worked! My hands are cramping up less now.
The amount of family members bikes who I've done this for! This and the tilt are never right for them
This is a great tip, Thank you! Is there a similar adjustment for the gear shifting leavers? I sometimes feel like my under or over articulation of the two gear shifting leavers is the fail point for when my bike does not settle in successfully to the intended gear.
It's true, this doesn't even occur to most folks with bigger hands.
Miss you around here¡
I thought you were only supposed to use one finger on your brakes? Modern hydraulic brakes only require one finger allowing for more grip on the bar.
Depends on your grip strength and what you are carrying. I have pretty good grip strength and need 2-3 fingers when braking with my 3 kids and 100# bike
This is correct. It's been years and years since you braked with more than one finger. My petite 95 lb wife can stop her Trek Fuel with Shimano SLX brakes on a dime, with one finger. Modern brakes and their master cylinders do not require more than one finger Force.
That was a bit of a “reach”
Hahahahah