Brake levers - which one?

[lewis]

Hi everyone...

Could someone suggest some decent brake levers please??

I would like some shorter ones i can seem to get confortable with the ones i have..

Thanks in advance..

[thistle]

What brakes have you got? (V brakes, hydraulic, brand etc.)

Any V brake lever should work with any V brake, not sure how compatibility works with hydraulic brakes.

For comfort I think it would be a case of trying them out to see if they are any good, although I think you can get 'ergonomic' levers (I think Avid make some).

You don't say why it's not comfortable - does it hurt your fingers or your wrists? I assume you've tried rotating the levers on the bars to see if it helps? One of the lost MTBers Daydonn and I found ages ago had his levers/shifter pointing almost vertical.

[lewis]

I have small hands so I seem to find when im braking i have to use like all my fingers instead of a couple...

So i though if got some shorter ones it might help abit.

Ermm i have disc brakes.. Im not clued up much on v brake, hydraulic etc sorry.

[thistle]

If your brakes use cables then they are not hydraulic ones. If the tube goes into the caliper and the caliper looks sealed then you probably have hydraulic ones ;D

For cable operated disc brakes, here's a starting point: www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=4781
They tend to get good reviews and they are meant to be adjustable so you can change how far you have to reach with your hands. I've never tried them know so can't give a personal opinion.

For hydraulic brakes I can't help as I don't know if you can get aftermarket levers and how you check if they will work with the caliper.

My Avid Juicy 3 levers (hydraulic) have an adjuster screw which changes the bite point of the brakes though - not quite the same as adjusting the reach but if you screw it out, the lever will be soft until you get it close to the bars which might save your hands a bit. You might have to keep adjusting it as the pads wear down.