Rohloff Speedhub and Brake Levers

Rolling Egg · May 24, 2006

Using the Speedhub for over a year now. No complaints except the following which doesn't really stem from the Speedhub however is manifest due to it.

I find that due to the existence of the gripshift, the brake lever assembly is fairly displaced from the nominal "rest" position of my hand. This predicates using an unnatural twist of my wrist (pivot around thumb joint) in order to reach the brake lever. On extended rides, this can be quite troublesome. It seems to me if the lever(s) were longer, I would have a much more natural way of reaching them and not have to suffer unnecessarily on the ride.

1. Does anyone else experience the same thing?
2. Any solutions? Dangerboy supposedly makes some aftermarket levers, but I haven't tried or seen them. Any merit to their claims?

Thanks.

RE

itsdoable · May 24, 2006

Yes, I've found that longer brake levers were nicer - same issue when Gripshift was popular, many brake manufacturers made levers that worked specifically with gripshift and/or rapidfire. If you are using hydraulics the choice is a bit thin - older maguras were made to fit gripshift well. If you run mechanical discs or Vs, then you can always look for some NOS or older levers that were made to fit the gripshift mechanisms.

I've been running Magura Louise on mine, they don't cause me any problems, but they could be a tad longer.

Rolling Egg · May 25, 2006

Thanks. I am running XT's and find the levers woefully short. Have been looking at the Magura Louise FR's and the Avid's. The Avid levers seem a bit better, but the brakes aren't what I want. Maybe I just need to get busy on a CNC mill.

Adman · May 25, 2006

I grabbed a set of aftermarker levers from RazorRock a while back, and I haven't had any problems with lever reach & shifter interference. When I replaced the grips next, I omitted the inside lockring so to smooth things out.
Now I'm jonesing to get my new rigs set up with the hubs waiting for me in the garage!
-Adam

Rolling Egg said:
Using the Speedhub for over a year now. No complaints except the following which doesn't really stem from the Speedhub however is manifest due to it.

I find that due to the existence of the gripshift, the brake lever assembly is fairly displaced from the nominal "rest" position of my hand. This predicates using an unnatural twist of my wrist (pivot around thumb joint) in order to reach the brake lever. On extended rides, this can be quite troublesome. It seems to me if the lever(s) were longer, I would have a much more natural way of reaching them and not have to suffer unnecessarily on the ride.

1. Does anyone else experience the same thing?
2. Any solutions? Dangerboy supposedly makes some aftermarket levers, but I haven't tried or seen them. Any merit to their claims?

Thanks.

RE

Stuart B · May 25, 2006

Not sure if Hope levers are longer or that I prefer my levers closer in, but I have space between my right lever and the 'loff shifter. I did set the front so that the end of the lever is comfy for my fore finger only (I only use my fore finger for my front/right lever).

I use an ODI lockon gripshift grip for the right side. Are these shorter than other gripshift grips? If you are using regular non lock on grips I guess you could cut them down a little bit more and bring the shifter nearer the end of the bar.

Stu

Speedub.Nate · Jun 3, 2006

Late to the table...

I'd probably want something longer if I needed 2-finger V brake operation, but for my Avid discs the Speed Dial levers offer enough reach for clean 1-digit braking.

Even though I have large hands, I have the levers adjusted as close in to the bar as able. For my wife's, I installed even longer set screws to get them a touch closer yet.

Timbo · Jun 3, 2006

I just hate the Speedhub shifter in general to be honest. It's so large and clunky, I wonder how they managed to design something as neat as the hub itself and lose the plot completely on the shifter.

Speedub.Nate · Jun 3, 2006

Timbo said:
I just hate the Speedhub shifter in general to be honest. It's so large and clunky, I wonder how they managed to design something as neat as the hub itself and lose the plot completely on the shifter.

Agreed. I'd like to know the inspiration behind the "triangle grip" -- not that I nor my wife find it uncomfortable, but really, a SRAM-clone grip pattern would be just fine.

Rohloff Speedhub and Brake Levers

Rolling Egg

itsdoable

Rolling Egg

Adman

Stuart B

Speedub.Nate

Timbo

Speedub.Nate

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