Brake lever preference with Nitto Noodles

[Erik Wright]

Howdy,

I have a Roadini set up with 46cm Noodles. I'm using 9spd 105 brifters that I took off my old road bike, and I'm struggling to dial in the feel of the hoods. This is partially due to the lever / hood design (pretty boxy and bulky, don't like it that much), but I also can't work out the bar to hood transition, if that makes sense. I'd like a smooth transition from the top of the bar into the hood position of the lever, in effect creating a feel of the bullhorn handlebar. After many micro adjustments, I just can't get that with this lever/bar combo. Either the levers feel too close and create a harsh/abrupt transition to the hoods, or they're too far below the bend for my liking.

I figured I'd switch to downtube shifters and go with the Tiagra BL-R400 that Riv sells and uses on most of their bikes, but wanted to check in and see if anyone here has a different lever that they love with Noodles. Brakes are Paul Racers, if that's a factor.

Let's hear 'em!

Erik, Philly

p.s. Riv's out of stock with those Tiagra levers so if you have some in your bin that you'd like to get rid of, consider this a low key WTB post.

[Mark Allen]

I love the TRP RRL levers on my Noodles. The shape of the hoods fit better than any brake lever I've tried (previous favorite: 10-speed era Campy Ergopower levers). They also come with a shim that can be inserted in the hoods to fine tune the feel of the ramp transition, which may be just the ticket for your needs.

Mark in Toronto

[Clayton Scott]

I like these. Wish Teatro still made them without the holes though.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=89002&gclid=CjwKCAjwwYP2BRBGEiwAkoBpAjh66NUUOA9hEk8Qlq6QJ2yvbFKGdgfldgFKgKCuSNdc-KVfRXxCaxoCOIIQAvD_BwE

[stevef]

I never got along with 9 speed STI levers.  That is one awkward feeling hood shape!  back when I used Noodles,  i used Campy 8 speed for a long time, and shimano barcons with various brake levers.  Now I use compact short/shallow bars with 10 speed shimano STI levers, the later model with concealed cables.  I think these levers would be fine with Noodles as well.  Had to buy new brake calipers too, they messed about with the cable pull ratio to make these levers incompatible with other calipers.  But the levers are very comfortable and work fine shifting a mongrel drivetrain consisting of a 10 speed chain and a 10 speed, 11-36 cassette with my 9 speed XT derailer.  Shifting up front is just adequate on a 1st generation XTR crankset set up as a compact double sporting a Shimano 10 speed 34t small ring and the original 8 speed 46t big ring.  I'm still using the old 8 speed Campy RacingT triple front derailer, which may be part of the problem up front.  I might replace it with a Shimano 10 speed CX-70 mech eventually.

Steve

On Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 10:45:55 AM UTC-4, Erik Wright wrote:

[Austin B.]

I also use the IRD Drilliums on my Noodles and like them a lot. They have a button where you can open the brakes up more to remove a wider tire without deflating.

The main reason I like them is they have a "thicker" feel between my thumbs and index finger when riding the hoods--but that may be what you describe as "boxy." The Shimanos are too narrow for me (but then I have bigger hands).

Austin

[Erik Wright]

Thanks for the brake lever rec's everybody. I'll like go for the TRP's.

Erik, Philly

[Fullylugged]

I'd try the TRP levers because they LOOK comfy, but I have the Tektro levers and they ARE comfy. Also reasonably priced. Have the same added quick release clearance.

https://blueskycycling.com/products/tektro-rl340-road-braket-levers-pair

[George Schick]

Part of the comfort issue here may be the bars themselves.  One of my road bikes is set up with noodle bars and Shimano 600 brake levers.  I find this combo to be "reasonably" comfortable - the bars are hawked as having "flat ramps," i.e., smooth transition from the top of the bend onto the brake lever hoods.  And they pretty much do, but they also have this minor "upsweep" where the bar makes its turn from the flats to the hooks that I find kind of irritating.

Far and away the most comfortable bars I've ever used are the Ritchey Bio-Max.  The have absolutely flat "flats" and after the bars make the turn toward the hooks they are perfectly flat so there is a very straight transition to the brake levers.  My other road bike has these coupled with the Tektro  levers and I love it.  But there are three problems with these bars: 1) they are no longer made (though they may be found on eBay in various widths), 2) they were only made with a black anodized finish, and 3) most importantly, they can't be used with standard quill stems because the turn from the flat part of the top of the hook to the bottom of the hook is so sharp that a quill stem cannot be passed through it without spreading the stem mounting jaws, a dangerous thing to do.  The only way around this was to either find a quill stem with a bolt-on bar mount or use a threadless steering tube adapter and a threadless stem.

[Brian Campbell]

I have the TRP drilled levers on one set of Noodles and Cane Creek SCR-5 on another set of noodles. I like the TRP levers better.

[Clayton Scott]

Agree that there bar lever combinations also much depend on bars.

I found the noodle to be less sensitive to brake lever choice as they have fairly long ramps to rest your hands on.

Shorter reach bars like the Salsa Cowchipper (my favorite drop over the past 2 years) are more sensitive to brake lever hoods as you usually rest your hands at least partially on the hoods.

I very much prefer blocky, campy-esque hoods on those, on the noodles I seem fine with a greater diversity of levers.

Clayton Scott

HBG, CA

[Patrick Moore]

George: If you like flat ramps made for quill stems, take a look at the Rene Herse Maes Parallel bar. Expensive, but IMO worth every penny.

[John G.]

I have TRPs and Shimano Tiagras on my Noodles. Both are incredibly comfy with Noodles.

On Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 10:45:55 AM UTC-4, Erik Wright wrote:

[Pancake]

You could always try the TRP RRL levers for cheap ($14) as their imitations are available on Amazon: Lixada Bicycle Brake Handle 1 Pair Universal Aluminum MTB Mountain Bike Cycling Brake Levers Front & Rear Brake Levers Drop Handlebar Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F71RPPC/

[George Schick]

Patrick - yes, those do look perfect.  When it's time to re-tape the bars I'm gonna get one of these.  Looks like they come in an assortment of widths and a couple of stem clamp diameters, too.  Thanks for the tip!

[Brewster Fong]

If you ever decide to use Campy ergo levers, I use both the 2nd gen (round hoods) and the latest 3rd gen (gumby hoods) with Nitto Noodle bars and love it!

Of course, YMMV!

Good Luck!

[Mark Roland]

Although TRP and Tektro are actually the same company; TRP (originally Tektro Racing Products) is to Tektro what Lexus is to Toyota.

[stonehog]

I personally like the SRAM S500 levers for drops.  They are more full in the hand, and I believe more like Campy Ergo levers.  You can still find them for reasonable prices around 50-60$.

Brian “Stonehog” Hanson

Seattle, WA

On Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 7:45:55 AM UTC-7, Erik Wright wrote:

[Wally Estrella]

Another vote for TRP RRLs.  I have them on my Quickbeam with Nitto Dirt Drops and on my bikepacker w Klampers.  

On Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 10:45:55 AM UTC-4, Erik Wright wrote: