Explain to me #2: Lever Position

[DeadlyStryker]

Currently, I feel too much pressure in my hands on descents. I have a feeling that if I rotate my levers downward I will have better hand contact. Where do you all suggest I place my levers (on a degrees measure or whatever) for jumping, freeriding, and downhill. I am going to try out what feels best, but until then...

[graves.z]

Wherever your hands feel comfortable, and you can reach the brakes and shifters without moving your hands. That is the correct position. This is of course all dependent on what position your in on the saddle (or off it) for the type of riding you do most.

[theothermrt]

start from 45 deg. Usually your braking finger resting on the lever blade should be in line with your forearm in your riding stance. For me thats an aggressive elbows out, chest low.

[Geronimo]

when adjusting them riding around on the street see what feels comfortable when your ass is on the rear tire otherwise you might put them too far down.

[DirtymikeTDB]

For most DH, you will find your brake levers will be near parrallel to your fork. But as said, adjust them so that your forearms and wrist are inline when you are in your riding position.

[danlorek]

parallel with your forks? wow, that would mean straight up and down, right? that's sounds like a tough reach.

if i keep my levers on my dh bike and mx bikes more downward ~45deg from horizontal (approaching parallel with my forks, but not quite) it promotes my arms being in an "attack" position reducing arm pump. it also keeps them out of impact when my bike goes bouncing down a course.

in the end it's whatever feels good to you.

[Bryguy17]

I would say its all about feel. Personally, I set up my brakes so that when in riding position (sitting on an XC-height saddle (which pretty closely approximates DH attack position for me)), the tip of my index finger naturally rests on the top of the end of the lever. I make it so that I can have my finger just sit on top of the lever without doing anything, and just have to curl my finger to brake.

I also have the tip of the lever (the hook at the end where your finger sits for 1-finger braking) a bit inboard of where my index knuckle is. This is a bit more ergonomic to me. if you look at your hand in a relaxed position, your index finger points slightly inboard.

Another thing to consider, is trying to put more of your weight at your feet, instead of at your bars. So just try leaning back a little to shift your weight back and off the bars. This will weight the bike more evenly, be nicer on your hands and nicer on your fork as well.

[Rockinthecasbah]

stand up and adjust the levers to feel natural no strain and your good to go, usally pretty far down facing, you shouldnt be decending sitting down on the brakes often

[DirtymikeTDB]

Originally Posted by DirtymikeTDB

For most DH, you will find your brake levers will be near parrallel to your fork. But as said, adjust them so that your forearms and wrist are inline when you are in your riding position.

Originally Posted by danlorek

parallel with your forks? wow, that would mean straight up and down, right? that's sounds like a tough reach.

if i keep my levers on my dh bike and mx bikes more downward ~45deg from horizontal (approaching parallel with my forks, but not quite) it promotes my arms being in an "attack" position reducing arm pump. it also keeps them out of impact when my bike goes bouncing down a course.

in the end it's whatever feels good to you.

Sooooo, we are doing the same thing!!!!!



Comfort, and armstrain are what we are looking to eliminate!! I am not sure teh exact angle of which mine are at, but when in my riding position, my arms and wrists are inline and I can grab my brakes perfectly!!!!!!!

[kanga]

YMMV, but my rule of thumb (for a starting point) has been just slightly lower than the line of my forearm to the handlebar... which differs on different bikes (DH, vs XC) and differs whether standing and hammering or sitting. It may be different depending on the grips you use as well. I use Ergon's which have a wide contact area that relieves pressure on the palms. (I also rarely use gloves). With that as a starting point, it all comes down to preference and comfort.

Also keep in mind the position of your brake on the bar relative to your grips. Moving the brakes inward will force your braking fingers to the ends of the levers, giving them more leverage and more stopping power for a given amount of force. That may help with the pressure on your hands as well.

Lastly, I keep my brakes and shifters tight enough that they don't move easily, but with two hands and a bit of a push, I can change the angle without tools. Helps prevent things from breaking in a crash, and makes quick adjustments easier if needed.

[lardbutt]

I was told one time to line up the levers so your wrist is as close to straight with your forearm as possible, in other words not bent. Makes sense but tough to get it 100% that way...