More comfortable brake levers

[DaveyA]

I am finding the brake levers on my bike quite uncomfortable. They are Shimano Aero levers from the 90's, brake only. They are really narrow and tend to dig into my hands after a few hours. What I would like would be something more chunky like the 105 10sp levers on my new bike. I imagine they are wider because of the gearchange mechanism. I was wondering whether there are any modern levers available with a bit more width across the hoods. So far I have read about Cane Creek SCR5's and some Tektro levers but it is difficult to see from the picture how wide they are on the tops. Anyone using such levers or could recommend something? Ideally, looking for silver, brake only. I would consider fitting brake/shifter levers and only using the brake mech if it was possible and reasonable cost.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I had to replace the 90s Shimano brake levers on my Peugeot and fitted a pair of Tektro. It was some time ago but I think they were these http://flatoutcycles.co.uk/tektro-r...-hZRKIe3efkk4cY5CiXBZdv57rORkyF0MkaAkEJ8P8HAQ
chunkier than the Shimanos, much more like the Campag shifters prior to their current style.

 

[DaveyA]

They look ok. You don't still have the bike with the brakes fitted do you? It would be nice to know what sort of width they were across the top of the hoods where they meet the bars, just where your hand rests as this is where I find mine uncomfortable.
Thanks for the link.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I am finding the brake levers on my bike quite uncomfortable. They are Shimano Aero levers from the 90's, brake only. They are really narrow and tend to dig into my hands after a few hours. What I would like would be something more chunky like the 105 10sp levers on my new bike. I imagine they are wider because of the gearchange mechanism. I was wondering whether there are any modern levers available with a bit more width across the hoods. So far I have read about Cane Creek SCR5's and some Tektro levers but it is difficult to see from the picture how wide they are on the tops. Anyone using such levers or could recommend something? Ideally, looking for silver, brake only. I would consider fitting brake/shifter levers and only using the brake mech if it was possible and reasonable cost.

The cane creek ones you mention are very comfortable. I now have them on 2 of my bikes and I ride primarily on the hoods.
Recommended.

 

[DaveyA]

Cheers for that. I will see how it goes with my new stem fitted and then look into getting some levers.

 

[youngoldbloke]

The hoods on my levers are 1.5" wide just above where they meet the bars, tapering to 1.25" just below the 'knob' at the top. They look very, very similar to the Cane Creek ones. The Tektro ones I linked to are 2nd hand, but I couldn't find any new ones online. (CRC have the Cane Creek at £31.99, and they have an extra 10% off code at the moment - GIFT).

 

[DaveyA]

Cheers for that. That will be much wider than the old ones I have on at the mo. Should be much better. Might just dive right in and get some.
Thanks again.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I think both the Tektro and Cane Creek are based on the old Campagnolo design which were renowned for comfort.

 

[booze and cake]

Yep I can also vouch for the Cane Creek ones. I fitted them on one of my singlespeeds last week to replace some shimano R500 levers, which were quite narrow, I guess like you 90's aero ones.

As Fab Foodie says the Cane Creeks are copies of the old Campag ones which I have on my geared bike and are definately wider and more comfortable. If anything I find the Cane Creek levers themselves more comfortable than the bling carbon ones on my 10 speed record that they are copies of, which considering they are cheap as chips in comparison is high praise indeed.

I have'nt done a ride longer than 60 miles on them yet but so far so good, I've done many centuaries on the campag ones though so don't envisage any problems. If I was being mega critical I would say the rubber on the Cane Creek hoods is a bit stiff which makes folding it back to wrap the bars a bit more of a faff than it could be, and when folded back down they are not very tight and snug against the bar tape. As I say though thats being picky and dont affect comfort at all. Buy with confidence, for 30 odd squid I think they are a total bargain.

 

[DaveyA]

Brilliant. Thanks for the recommendation. I have ordered a set from CRC. Promo code didn't work unfortunately

 

[youngoldbloke]

Brilliant. Thanks for the recommendation. I have ordered a set from CRC. Promo code didn't work unfortunately

The GIFT code only works in their 'Christmas Shop' it seems - sneaky, they don't make it clear, you have to dig deep into their t&c's

 

[DaveyA]

Not to worry, they seem like a good buy for the price anyway.
You can't put a price on comfort!