Need to upgrade my brakes or grow larger hands

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Kbrook

Guru
Today I frightened myself half to death descending a steep hill, I couldn't get enough pressure on the lever to get the brakes to work properly. This is partly my reluctance to descend on the drops but from my preferred position, the hoods I just can't exert enough pressure on the top of the lever to stop effectively.

Any advice including changing brake pads greatly appreciated. Will going to a cartridge type pad make a difference? Seen those swisstops recommended but are there cheaper just as good variants. Any other tips for braking, I do have small hands for a big .

Many thanks.
 

Andrew_P

In between here and there
What groupset? Shimano do a wedge to bring the lever closer to the bars.
 

Milzy

Guru
I think it's hard to get pressure on from the hoods. Always on the drops when going down :P
 
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Kbrook

Guru
Andrew ... It's shimano sora, what's this wedge not heard of that? Cant handle the drops going downhill steeply at the moment so need a solution before the next trip out.
 

Julia9054

Guru
Location
Knaresborough
Try strong hand on the hoods controlling the steering, weaker hand in the drops controlling the braking. Looks a bit funny but works for me! That said, I am spectacularly rubbish at downhills due to a total absence of bravery!
 

Asa Post

Super Iconic Legend
Location
Sheffield
I don't think Shimano make a wedge for the Sora range, but the brake lever itself has an adjusting screw that might help.
Go to the Sora page on the techdocs site and scroll down until you see BL Brake Lever BL - 3500. Click on the link below it to get a pdf file showing the location of the screw.

As for brake pads - the usual recommendations are Clarks, Swisstop or Kool Stop. I use Kool Stops and I'm happy with them.
 
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-...onid=f62497d10b93850cdbbc1b97a2b865b8db87d85d

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-...onid=f62497d10b93850cdbbc1b97a2b865b8db87d85d

links to 8 degree shimano sora adjusters. need both, one is for left & one for right.
You may find them elsewhere, but this give you an idea an what you are looking for.

As for brake blocks - I can't rate the Swisstop Flashpro GHP II Green pads highly enough. Don't mind the cost becuase they last and last and at the end of the day, my life is on the line if I can't stop and I value my life (I also prefer not to have to constantly be checking to see if they have worn out - current set have done around 5,000km through last winter, spring and this summer and are around 1/2 to 2/3 worn.)
 

Milo

Guru
Location
Melksham, Wilts
I always feel more in control when on the drops and going downhill personally. It allows far more control over the braking.
 

Tyke

Senior Member
Shimano make 2 different thickness of wedge for the Tiagra brakes not sure about Sora though they may only do the one size listed above but they make a big difference.
 

musa

Über Member
Location
Surrey
new pads prehaps, cable slack so pull cable as tight as you can, with the caliper closed and do up the bolt

is this an constant issue? or just stuff like going downhill

reason for asking was whether to determine bike size was correct . You buy from a lbs? But before dwelling into that, check condition of cables and pads then report back
 
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K

Kbrook

Guru
Musa and snsso.. Thanks, cables are fine and pads tight to the wheel. Bike wasnt from a LBS but it seems to fit me every other way. Cant think of any bike fit alteration that would help its the length of my fingers from the bars to the levers that seems to be the issue. Even when I practice on the drops I am still reaching a little for the levers.

On everyday riding I can get sufficient pressure to stop ok, but downhill I just scare myself to death and slow down all the way down, usually losing all momentum for the upcoming hill, if the roads weren't so twisty round here might be tempted to just go for it without braking but with bendy roads and gravelly uneven surfaces I am extra careful. I am going to try these wedge things out, when I rang my LBS yesterday he knew what I was talking about and said he had some lying about I cold have.
 

Buzzinonbikes

Senior Member
Location
Manchester
Confidence in descending will come. Even if you are in the drops, straighten your arms so you are sitting up quite a bit. Means you are not as streamlined so won't wizz along too fast, and also if you do need to brake heavily having straight arms means you won't go over the bars! ;)
 
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