[jhenry4]

anyone have opinions on which component line would be better for female riders with smaller hands? mostly looking for the differences between shimano and campy on this one.

also, is there a difference in the campy hoods between the groupsets or are they all from the same mold with different interiors?

thanks

 

[wasfast]

anyone have opinions on which component line would be better for female riders with smaller hands? mostly looking for the differences between shimano and campy on this one.

also, is there a difference in the campy hoods between the groupsets or are they all from the same mold with different interiors?

thanks

While I personally have 2 Campy equipped bikes, my wife greatly preferred the shape of the Shimano hoods shape wise. All Campy hoods are the same shape btw.

Specialized now sells some plates that move the levers closer for Shimano which may be a help for those with smaller hands. This will matter most if riding in the drops but does help some while on the hoods also.

 

[TurboTurtle]

anyone have opinions on which component line would be better for female riders with smaller hands? mostly looking for the differences between shimano and campy on this one.

also, is there a difference in the campy hoods between the groupsets or are they all from the same mold with different interiors?

thanks

Unlike all of the rest of the bars I have tried (measured), the 3T Eva actually does position the levers closer to the bar.

Both Shimano and Campy levers can be modified to bring the levers closer. Do a search for procedures.

The Specialized shim works OK on Shimano-9 levers. Works, but doesn't really fit (unless they have a new one) on Shimano-10.

TF

 

[rogger]

Shimano has brifters for people with smaller hands, the 10-speed is named R700, but I have no idea in what quality range it is.
http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cyc...<>ast_id=1408474395181419&bmUID=1143376717980

 

[cthomas]

Check out the Shimano R600 shifters

They are only 9 speed, but they were built with a shim system to allow you to move the levers closer to the bars for people with smaller hands. Not sure if Shimano is still making them, as there were a ton of them on eBay (not so many now). The trade off is the new 10 speed Shimano is noticably thinner than the 9 speed, so will be more comfortable riding on the hoods if you have smaller hands.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-ST-R600...ryZ36140QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

My wife also has small hands, and I was going to swap these on her 9 speed 105 bike. She decided she was comfortable with the 105s.

I also ride Campy, and love the feel of the hoods. Given they are narrower I had her try them on my bike. She didn't like them, and from the drops she could not use the thumb shifter as it was too much of a reach. My teenage kids could reach, but didn't like the thumb shifter. So, they are all Shimano. (I have failed in my Campy responsibilities to pass this down a generation. My Campy-club membership will likely be revoked).

 

[cthomas]

Rogger and I were posting at the same time...

Didn't know the R700 was out. May be the trick to get the better fit of the hoods and the ability to move the lever closer to the bars.

 

[TurboTurtle]

They are only 9 speed, but they were built with a shim system to allow you to move the levers closer to the bars for people with smaller hands. Not sure if Shimano is still making them, as there were a ton of them on eBay (not so many now). The trade off is the new 10 speed Shimano is noticably thinner than the 9 speed, so will be more comfortable riding on the hoods if you have smaller hands.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-ST-R600...ryZ36140QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

My wife also has small hands, and I was going to swap these on her 9 speed 105 bike. She decided she was comfortable with the 105s.

I also ride Campy, and love the feel of the hoods. Given they are narrower I had her try them on my bike. She didn't like them, and from the drops she could not use the thumb shifter as it was too much of a reach. My teenage kids could reach, but didn't like the thumb shifter. So, they are all Shimano. (I have failed in my Campy responsibilities to pass this down a generation. My Campy-club membership will likely be revoked).

Way too expensive. You can get Ultegra-9 (same or better quality) for half to two-thirds the price. Specialized shim will give the same results.

Would guess that the R-700 would be just as rediculously priced.

The Eva bar goes for about $50 on eBay - new.

TF

 

[cthomas]

Learned something new today

I didn't know the Specialized shims existed. I'm going to give them a try on my wife's bike. Pretty cheap, so if they don't work it is not a big deal. I do see from the Specialized website they have these in both a 9 speed and a 10 speed version (but only for D/A and Ultegra...don't know why the difference).

Unless you already have the 9 speed brifters, the OP should check out the 10 speed Shimano due to the smaller diameter of the hoods. Much more comfortable (but, alas, more expensive). Then try the Specialized shim.

Thanks, TurboTurtle.

 

[Jim the Giant rider]

R-700

I have these shifters and they work great. I have the 4mm shim in them now and feel very comfortable. I think the ergonomics are better than the normal ultegra shifters.

Also they are wireless flightdeck compatable.

My shop also mated them up fine with the ultegra front DR.

 

[ericm979]

The Specalized shim things work well. I put a set on my wife's bike. You do need to make sure the brake adjustment is spot on since the shim (and the Shimano reduced reach levers) reduce the lever travel. I had to set the cable slack to less than I prefer to ensure that the levers would not bottom out on the bars on a long descent.