Two Road Bike Questions

[saxman]

I've been enjoying the heck out of my "new" road bike, a 2004 Fuji Professional that was upgraded to Dura-ace componentry. As I've been riding it, two questions have popped up:

1. I like the combined brake levers / derailleurs. However, I'm finding the reach to the levers is uncomfortable for my smallish hands. I like the position of where the levers are, I'm just having a hard time feeling comfortable with where my fingers are in relation to the levers as I'm so used to where they sit on the levers for the MTB brakes. I was poking around the levers tonight, there doesn't seem to be any way to adjust them. I thought about bending them in a little bit, but because you have the derailleur trigger on the inside of the lever, I was afraid that would really screw things up. Is the travel on these buggers adjustable?

2. I've noticed that the rubber is getting kind of thin. Any recommendations for good road tires? I have Panaracer Stradius Elite on the bike right now. A lot of my riding is on the back roads in upper MoCo, where the pavement isn't exactly baby butt smooth. The Panaracers seem okay, and I have nothing but good things to say about the Fire XC Pros on my MTB, but I wouldn't know a good road tire from a bad one if it came and hit me on the head.

[markie]

I think you would like Michelin Pro Race 2 tires. They are much nicer than those panaracers.

If you are heavier the Pro Race 25mm tires are great.



If you get a lot of flats or want a cushier ride the panaracer paela 28mm tires are awesome.

[OverStuffed]

I'm assuming (and you can correct me) that you have Shimano shifters. Shimano STI shifters don't have a reach adjustment. However, you can get shims for some of the more recent stuff that accomplish the same thing. It'll depend heavily on which shifters you have, and which year. Since the shifter is mounted on the pivoting lever, and not inside the hood, and because the brake lever is in fact a shift lever itself, you cannot independently adjust the shifter and brake lever reach.

I would avoid bending, because you really only get one shot at it, and if you fail, you may have to replace the entire mechanism. There are ways around it, but you'd still need another set of levers (One donor, or an entirely new one)

Tires: "seem OK" is not exactly a rave. There's something you don't like about them, and I have a hunch that it's related to the type of pavement you ride. If I recall correctly, the Professional has pretty tight tire clearance, in which case I'd be surprised if you can fit 25c Paselas. 25c Michelin Krylions or Schwalbe Blizzard should be OK. The Michelins are slick, the Blizzards have a light tread, and a puncture resistant casing.

[tsteele999]

I seem to remember hearing that there was a shim for Shimano shifters, you might try searching through RBR to see if there are any threads about it. FWIW, I have small hands too. I shift mostly from the hoods and don't have a problem. Shifting from the drops is about impossible, so I don't do it.

I use Continental Gatorskins: Not too heavy but very durable and puncture resistant. Not cheap though at above $40 each. Biketiresdirect is your friend.

I had back luck with most Specialized tires, had one set of Maxxis Detonators that I loved but hated the Fuse, they wore out in about a month (diamond pattern)

[blacknell]

Don't even think about bending your levers. Seriously, sell your levers and buy something that fits (look for "women-specific" stuff), rather than bend them. Luckily, pre-made shims do exist (http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=9258&catID=180).

I've had excellent luck with Continental Grand Prix's. I've followed them from the 3000 to 4000 series, buying a new set every season (they carry me about 5-6k miles a year, and then survive a miserable winter on the trainer). They're not marketed as particularly puncture resistant, but my own experience is having 2 punctures* that I can recall in the last five years. For someone who tops out just over 200lb in gear on the bike, and rides about 1/3rd of that on decidedly urban streets, I'm pretty happy with it.

*So long as you recall as one instance that week where I flatted four times because I couldn't find the piece of glass from the original puncture . . .

[CRAIG2]

I'll second the Contis. The Grand Prix are EXCELLENT tires IMHO, but I actually think I ended up with the Conti Four Season's at some point for all season riding. They held up really well, and performed well, as advertised. I also rode the Conti Top Touring 2000 for a while, 700x28. This was true touring tire - supple, hearty tread, a little on the heavy side, not the fastest tire, but was problem free.

I'll also second the Michelins as making (well, perphaps as once making) some great tires - I've ridden ALL OVER central Maryland (including Frederick), DC, NoVA, and central VA on a set of Michelin Axial Super Comp's in the 700 x 23 variety, with only a handful of flats over thousands of miles. If I still rode the bike today, I'd still feel perfectly in control riding them. They do have a very rounded, slick appearance, but the dual compound technology they've integrated really provided for predictable handling in a variety of conditions, including heavy rain.

I think 700x25 would make a better all-around touring tire, but the 700 x 23 variety was an excellent balance between efficiency and comfort.

Again, everyone's different, and I'm a tall, skinny guy.

[Auger N]

Can't help you with that Shimano stuff. I have noticed that the Shimano STI levers seem to have moved up the bars a bit over the last few years to make the reach from the drops easier. You could try that.

On tires, it is not clear whether you want speed, comfort, cornering ability, puncture-resistance or what. Lots of choices.

For speed and efficiency, I usually go with a light, 23mm tire with kevlar beads and a high psi rating. Vredestein Fortezza Tricomps are good in this regard with a 150 psi rating (compared to most road tires that max out at 120 psi. Performance usually carries them for $25 on sale.

Vredestein - Dutch for "on your left!"

[PunkRock]

Stay away from Vittoria Rubinos. I bought a pair to try and they lasted maybe 400 miles...very cheaply manufactured or perhaps I just got a bad pair. Either way, I've learned and will never buy that tire again. You can't go wrong with either Conti's or Michelin.

[crack monkey]

Levers - Specialized makes shims, and Shimano also make a short-reach Ultegra-level brifter. Shims are cheaper, so that's what I use on my road bike.

Tires - Conti Gatorskins. Roll well, available in a few sizes, and puncture resistant. Heavier than the more racey tires, but I've yet to get a flat with them.

[saxman]

Levers - Specialized makes shims, and Shimano also make a short-reach Ultegra-level brifter. Shims are cheaper, so that's what I use on my road bike.

Tires - Conti Gatorskins. Roll well, available in a few sizes, and puncture resistant. Heavier than the more racey tires, but I've yet to get a flat with them.

Thanks for the tip on the Specialized Shims. I just ordered a set tonight. It looks like the installation is very simple too. I probably could have made some home-grown shims, but I figure the Specialized stuff is designed properly.

[Auger N]

Crack Monkey - I wish you continued good luck with your Gatorskin tires. I have them on my commuter bike. The first time i rode my 6-mile commute with them (with Slime tubes, no less), I figured I was bulletproof. Hard to believe though, I got a flat on my very first 6 miles!

They've been better than regular tires ever since, but they are not bulletproof.

[sourceofdenial]

I've been enjoying the heck out of my "new" road bike, a 2004 Fuji Professional that was upgraded to Dura-ace componentry. As I've been riding it, two questions have popped up:

1. I like the combined brake levers / derailleurs. However, I'm finding the reach to the levers is uncomfortable for my smallish hands. I like the position of where the levers are, I'm just having a hard time feeling comfortable with where my fingers are in relation to the levers as I'm so used to where they sit on the levers for the MTB brakes. I was poking around the levers tonight, there doesn't seem to be any way to adjust them. I thought about bending them in a little bit, but because you have the derailleur trigger on the inside of the lever, I was afraid that would really screw things up. Is the travel on these buggers adjustable?

2. I've noticed that the rubber is getting kind of thin. Any recommendations for good road tires? I have Panaracer Stradius Elite on the bike right now. A lot of my riding is on the back roads in upper MoCo, where the pavement isn't exactly baby butt smooth. The Panaracers seem okay, and I have nothing but good things to say about the Fire XC Pros on my MTB, but I wouldn't know a good road tire from a bad one if it came and hit me on the head.

Does your bike have 'ergo' handlebars or regular bend? If ergo, you might have an easier time grabbing the bars with a shallow regular bend bar.

Pro Race tires are nice(biketiresdirect usually has them on sale) but for pretty much all of my training I just run some cheapo commuter tire. Wears longer, and I dont have to worry about burning through expensive tires quickly. I'm on some 10 dollar Michilins I got at LL Bean. Heavy, but they have gotten the job done. I'll save nice tires for races.