A "Correct" Way to Position Levers on Handlebars

[jmoore]

Originally Posted by charliedid

That looks* much better.

Agreed. Slight downward tilt in the drops, neutral ramp from bar to hoods, can reach the brake levers while in the drops. Perfecto!

[jambee]

@d_douglas the frame and fork are the Elephant nfe. Amazing bike. It's like magic.

[jmvernon]

I am sure this was mentioned but you will need to adjust to you specifically.

I had bars and hoods positioned like a few mentions, flats in the same line with the top tube and hoods in align with those. But after less than 5 miles of riding my wrist would go numb. I ended up getting fitted and they adjusted my bars and hood position to something I would have never thought of and all my pain and numbness went away.

I think starting at what people recommend is a good starting point but realize you might have to adjust. I know I wish I could ride with a more 'pro' position but I definitely not a pro and rather be comfortable

[Dead Man]

Originally Posted by jmvernon

I am sure this was mentioned but you will need to adjust to you specifically.

I had bars and hoods positioned like a few mentions, flats in the same line with the top tube and hoods in align with those. But after less than 5 miles of riding my wrist would go numb. I ended up getting fitted and they adjusted my bars and hood position to something I would have never thought of and all my pain and numbness went away.

I think starting at what people recommend is a good starting point but realize you might have to adjust. I know I wish I could ride with a more 'pro' position but I definitely not a pro and rather be comfortable

pic?

[Applesauce]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

A flat transition is all but impossible without totally jacking up the angle of the drops. I personally prefer that "notch" transition of the hoods from the bar, and a flat drop for easier use of the drops.

I mostly have to chime in to say...hot damn, that’s a gorgeous RDS. Might be the finest bike I’ve seen on the Paceline.

I’ll also add my professional opinion: everyone says bar shapes have changed, etc, but I have yet to see the bar and lever combination that isn’t best served by starting with the bottom of the levers in the same plane as the flattest, lowest part of the drops. Rotate as required from there, and it always works out. Anything and everything else just looks and feels goofy. I’m sure there’s some alt bars that would prove this rule wrong, and the multitude of gravel flares and stuff is surely included here, but I don’t see them on normal bikes. That’s my two cents, anyway.

[Ruimteaapje]

I've got the same bars and lever position on all my bikes: deep "Merckx bend" drop, tip of the lever in line with the bottom of the bars and the bars slightly tilted. Is it "correct", I don't know but it works for me

[lorenbike]

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[lorenbike]

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[charliedid]

Here you go. No experience with the bars but generally it takes me a few different positions to get comfy on new bars.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by Loren090

I've been experimenting with bars and lately have been digging the Rene Herse Maes Parallel. Sort of a trial and error though and looking for some more feedback as there isn't too much info on setting these up online.

What I like:
Long ramps for an extra position to grab
Drops feel awesome
Flat tops seem to pair OK with brifters
Flare is absolutely perfect

I don't even know what ramps are, with respect to bikes.

[lorenbike]

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[charliedid]

Originally Posted by Loren090

^thank you, pic looks much better!

And yes, I've had these for a few months and not quite ready to give up just yet, but at some point will need to decide if perhaps the long reach isn't suited for my hands.

Which bar were you on previously? You change anything else? Try rotating the bars up ever so slightly?

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by reuben

I don't even know what ramps are, with respect to bikes.

The portion of the bar leading out to the lever.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by jambee

So I moved the levers up as you good folks recommended.

WOW.

The change in comfort is really a game changer. My wrist now feel to very lightly rest on the hoods and the reach is awesome. Will take it on a big spin this weekend and report back.

this looks great!


Similar to how I have mine setup







However there are people that do like em going up a bit for some reason, that would price me crazy both visually and my wrists.

[charliedid]

I might actually rotate the bars down a tiny bit and pull the levers back up towards you. It will create a bit of a pocket and maybe that long reach and slight downhill to the hoods is what is giving you the crimp in your wrist?

Follow?