Top Mounted Brake Levers

[Bstrong]

Use them or lose them? Why or why not?
Thanks, B

 

[Izoard]

Use them or lose them? Why or why not?
Thanks, B

Some people love 'em, some hate 'em. Personally, I think if your set up and position are good, and that includes a stem and handlebar that works for you, then you don't need them.

A number of people I see using them have a set up that has them too stretched out, even on the hoods. So to be more comfortable, they use the top mounts (AKA cheaters). I think if you run a set up that allows you to use the drops and the hoods, then top mounts are not really required. Having said this, not everyone can dial in their fit and top mounts don't tend to be a problem ... in other words, whatever suits the user (but try to get a bike fit by someone who understands cx

 

[David Suro]

For riders who are touring or commuting, they can be useful. Being able to ride on the tops and have access to the brakes can improve safety for these types of riders.

For goup riding or racing, they are not a good idea. In a group situation, it is beneficial for all involved if the riders can see the hands of the rider in front of them when they move to the brakes.

 

[kiwirider]

My bike came with them, but they were one of the first things that went when I started customising it up ...

I just found I never used them. I like riding on the hoods rather than on the top of the bars and found that I have all of the control and "balance" that I needed in that position.

About the only time that they had any use was commuting - but that only brought the total number of times I used them to somewhere in single figures within a month. I would agree with David about them being more comfortable, but I don't believe that there is any additional safety element - riding on the tops on the flat with your hands close to the stem (where the levers sit) takes away a fair amount of manoeuvrability.

I wouldn't advocate riding with them in a bunch - to my mind, they don't give the braking modulation and force that the "main levers" do. This may be just an impression rather than reality, but as they say "perception is everything ..."

 

[stephens]

I put them on my cyclocross bike because on long, dirt, downhills, my hands would start to hurt from being on the hoods and I wanted another riding position where I could still brake if needed. But I don't really like having my hands that close together while going downhill at speed either and find I have much better control out on the hoods or in the drops and so I rarely ride on the tops and rarely use the levers. I think I might take 'em off...

 

[badboyberty]

I thought they were there primarily to aid in fast dismounts. They make setting up the brakes a little more finicky, so there's a good argument for dropping them if you don't race.

 

[Izoard]

I thought they were there primarily to aid in fast dismounts. They make setting up the brakes a little more finicky, so there's a good argument for dropping them if you don't race.

You can dismount very fast with you hands on the hoods, and with better control, so long as you've got your fit right and you've practiced

 

[TheDude]

I don't use on the cross bike, but I'm hardly a serious cross rider. I would see hooking up the rear break to the left bar to use on dismount as being beneficial. I tend to keep both hands on the hoods (or left on drop, right on hood) as I dismount, then rapidly grab the top tube. As I said, I'm hardly serious and could get much more smooth.

I had them on a road bike in the 80s. All those ever did was get in the way.