Best brifters for kids?

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

Hi All,

I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?

What other things should I consider?

Joseph

[Hank Wirtz]

On Aug 15, 10:41 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
<joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> What other things should I consider?
>
> Joseph

Was the Mirage brake lever plastic (old) or aluminum (new)? (I know,
the really old pointy ones were aluminum too.) The new ones have
considerably lighter action. Centaur, Veloce and Mirage all adopted
the Xenon-style "Escape Mechanism" this year.

FWIW, I ended up ditching my 2007 Veloce brifters because the action
was TOO light. I have poor hearing, and I rely on a classic Ergo's
tactile feedback to know if it's clicked into the next position. too
often, I'd move the lever far enough to move the chain, but not far
enough to catch in the next gear's position, so it would shift back
after a few seconds. I haven't had that problem since installing the
'06 Centaurs Nashbar has on closeout for $120 right now.

Anyway, If the reach isn't too far, Escape Mechanism Ergos would be a
great choice. Xenon groups are dirt cheap at probikekit.com, and
primary schoolers won't gripe that a square taper crank is too flexy.
And if you want to use cheap Shimano-compatible wheels, C10 equipped
bikes work great with S9 cassettes - just set the limit screws
correctly, and the last click on the shifter will be locked out.

[mtb Dad]

On Aug 15, 10:41 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
<joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> What other things should I consider?
>
> Joseph

My daughter finds the sora levers work for her. Easier than mtb rapid
fire on her mtb. She's just turned nine and is average size, fairly
athletic, but keen on road bikes, as well as mtb. (a Dad's dream)

[Tom \Johnny Sunset\ Sherman]

joseph.santaniello@gmail.com aka Joseph Santaniello wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> What other things should I consider?

Bar-end shifters.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

[dustoyevsky@mac.com]

On Aug 15, 12:41 pm, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
<joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> What other things should I consider?

Well, maybe flat bars and twister shifting? My children got along well
with that setup. Brake levers changed to "long" instead of the little
shorties the Trek came with, for more power.

It's one of those things you have to try out, I guess. --D-y

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

On Aug 15, 9:43 pm, mtb Dad <listerfar...@telus.net> wrote:
> On Aug 15, 10:41 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
>
> <joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hi All,
>
> > I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> > using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> > the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> > stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> > because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> > kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> > nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> > thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> > What other things should I consider?
>
> > Joseph
>
> My daughter finds the sora levers work for her. Easier than mtb rapid
> fire on her mtb. She's just turned nine and is average size, fairly
> athletic, but keen on road bikes, as well as mtb. (a Dad's dream)

Sounds good!

The product description says they are reach adjustable. Is this so?
How is it done?

Joseph

[mtb Dad]

On Aug 15, 1:04 pm, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
<joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 15, 9:43 pm, mtb Dad <listerfar...@telus.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Aug 15, 10:41 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
>
> > <joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Hi All,
>
> > > I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> > > using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> > > the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> > > stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> > > because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> > > kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> > > nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> > > thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> > > What other things should I consider?
>
> > > Joseph
>
> > My daughter finds the sora levers work for her. Easier than mtb rapid
> > fire on her mtb. She's just turned nine and is average size, fairly
> > athletic, but keen on road bikes, as well as mtb. (a Dad's dream)
>
> Sounds good!
>
> The product description says they are reach adjustable. Is this so?
> How is it done?
>
> Joseph- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I heard that too, but I don't know because it's a bike we borrow from
a friend's daughter, and it's not here right now. I assume they were
already set up for small hands.

[almost_fast@yahoo.com]

On Aug 15, 3:04 pm, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
<joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 15, 9:43 pm, mtb Dad <listerfar...@telus.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Aug 15, 10:41 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
>
> > <joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Hi All,
>
> > > I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> > > using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> > > the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> > > stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> > > because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> > > kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> > > nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> > > thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> > > What other things should I consider?
>
> > > Joseph
>
> > My daughter finds the sora levers work for her. Easier than mtb rapid
> > fire on her mtb. She's just turned nine and is average size, fairly
> > athletic, but keen on road bikes, as well as mtb. (a Dad's dream)
>
> Sounds good!
>
> The product description says they are reach adjustable. Is this so?
> How is it done?
>
> Joseph- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Looks like itcould be Item #8 in this exploded view:
http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/EV/bikecomponents/ST/EV-ST-3300_3303-1886_v1_m56577569830609256.pdf

[Nate Knutson]

On Aug 15, 1:04 pm, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
<joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 15, 9:43 pm, mtb Dad <listerfar...@telus.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Aug 15, 10:41 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
>
> > <joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Hi All,
>
> > > I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> > > using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> > > the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> > > stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> > > because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> > > kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> > > nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> > > thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> > > What other things should I consider?
>
> > > Joseph
>
> > My daughter finds the sora levers work for her. Easier than mtb rapid
> > fire on her mtb. She's just turned nine and is average size, fairly
> > athletic, but keen on road bikes, as well as mtb. (a Dad's dream)
>
> Sounds good!
>
> The product description says they are reach adjustable. Is this so?
> How is it done?
>
> Joseph

They've got little recessed screws going through the top of the hood
that push the lever into a closer resting position, the same way it
works on flat-bar levers.

The inner shifting lever on Sora levers still has pretty stiff action.
I'm not sure that someone having trouble with Ergo paddles is going to
do any better with them.

Probably the "best" brifter option would be the ultegra-ish level
Shimano reach adjustable levers, the st-r600 and st-r700 (600 is 9spd,
700 is 10). But these are pretty expensive.

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

On Aug 16, 4:12 am, Hank Wirtz <h...@wirtznet.net> wrote:
> On Aug 15, 10:41 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
>
> <joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hi All,
>
> > I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> > using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> > the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> > stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> > because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> > kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> > nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> > thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> > What other things should I consider?
>
> > Joseph
>
> Was the Mirage brake lever plastic (old) or aluminum (new)? (I know,
> the really old pointy ones were aluminum too.) The new ones have
> considerably lighter action. Centaur, Veloce and Mirage all adopted
> the Xenon-style "Escape Mechanism" this year.
>
> FWIW, I ended up ditching my 2007 Veloce brifters because the action
> was TOO light. I have poor hearing, and I rely on a classic Ergo's
> tactile feedback to know if it's clicked into the next position. too
> often, I'd move the lever far enough to move the chain, but not far
> enough to catch in the next gear's position, so it would shift back
> after a few seconds. I haven't had that problem since installing the
> '06 Centaurs Nashbar has on closeout for $120 right now.
>
> Anyway, If the reach isn't too far, Escape Mechanism Ergos would be a
> great choice. Xenon groups are dirt cheap at probikekit.com, and
> primary schoolers won't gripe that a square taper crank is too flexy.
> And if you want to use cheap Shimano-compatible wheels, C10 equipped
> bikes work great with S9 cassettes - just set the limit screws
> correctly, and the last click on the shifter will be locked out.

It was 2005 black plastic 9 speed Mirage ergos that were too stiff. He
could move them, but just shy of the click, so the chain would just
fall back. It was sub-optimal testing with him sitting on the top-tube
while I pedalled with my hands and my friend held the back wheel off
the ground, but he had enough trouble that I figured a different setup
would be wise.

Another reason I was leaning toward Campy is that the cheaper gruppos
like Xenon and Mirage are way nicer finish-wise than Sora.

These bikes will have short 140mm cranks so I can save the Xenon
tripple crank for some other project.

Joseph

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

On Aug 16, 5:07 am, "Tom \"Johnny Sunset\" Sherman"
<sunsetss0...@invailid.com> wrote:
> joseph.santanie...@gmail.com aka Joseph Santaniello wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
>
> > I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> > using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> > the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> > stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> > because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> > kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> > nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> > thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> > What other things should I consider?
>
> Bar-end shifters.
>

I was thinking about that, but then it starts getting semi-expensive
again with all the separate parts. But that might just be the way to
go. Any recommendations for suitable brake levers?

Joseph

[Hank Wirtz]

On Aug 16, 1:03 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
<joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 16, 4:12 am, Hank Wirtz <h...@wirtznet.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Aug 15, 10:41 am, "joseph.santanie...@gmail.com"
>
> > <joseph.santanie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Hi All,
>
> > > I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> > > using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> > > the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> > > stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> > > because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> > > kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> > > nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> > > thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>
> > > What other things should I consider?
>
> > > Joseph
>
> > Was the Mirage brake lever plastic (old) or aluminum (new)? (I know,
> > the really old pointy ones were aluminum too.) The new ones have
> > considerably lighter action. Centaur, Veloce and Mirage all adopted
> > the Xenon-style "Escape Mechanism" this year.
>
> > FWIW, I ended up ditching my 2007 Veloce brifters because the action
> > was TOO light. I have poor hearing, and I rely on a classic Ergo's
> > tactile feedback to know if it's clicked into the next position. too
> > often, I'd move the lever far enough to move the chain, but not far
> > enough to catch in the next gear's position, so it would shift back
> > after a few seconds. I haven't had that problem since installing the
> > '06 Centaurs Nashbar has on closeout for $120 right now.
>
> > Anyway, If the reach isn't too far, Escape Mechanism Ergos would be a
> > great choice. Xenon groups are dirt cheap at probikekit.com, and
> > primary schoolers won't gripe that a square taper crank is too flexy.
> > And if you want to use cheap Shimano-compatible wheels, C10 equipped
> > bikes work great with S9 cassettes - just set the limit screws
> > correctly, and the last click on the shifter will be locked out.
>
> It was 2005 black plastic 9 speed Mirage ergos that were too stiff. He
> could move them, but just shy of the click, so the chain would just
> fall back. It was sub-optimal testing with him sitting on the top-tube
> while I pedalled with my hands and my friend held the back wheel off
> the ground, but he had enough trouble that I figured a different setup
> would be wise.
>

Yeah, the 2007 Mirage, as well as several years of Xenon, require MUCH
less force, especially compared to Sora's thumb button. Also, Campy
thumb buttons are at the back of the lever body, not the front, so
they're easier to reach, especially from the drops.

[Paul Myron Hobson]

>> joseph.santanie...@gmail.com aka Joseph Santaniello wrote:
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>> I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
>>> using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
>>> the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
>>> stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
>>> because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
>>> kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
>>> nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
>>> thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
>>> What other things should I consider?


> On Aug 16, 5:07 am, "Tom \"Johnny Sunset\" Sherman"
> <sunsetss0...@invailid.com> wrote:
>> Bar-end shifters.
>>

joseph.santaniello@gmail.com wrote:
> I was thinking about that, but then it starts getting semi-expensive
> again with all the separate parts. But that might just be the way to
> go. Any recommendations for suitable brake levers?

I understand your not in the US, so this link is only to show he
levers...not to suggest you get them off US eBay then ship to Europe:
http://tinyurl.com/ysg9r5

Point is, I found those levers to be short in the bar-to-end-of-hood
sense. I think with bar-ends, those levers and maybe some cross-top
levers, that kid would be set!

Good luck.

\\paul

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

On Aug 16, 12:14 pm, Paul Myron Hobson <phob...@gatech.edu> wrote:
> >> joseph.santanie...@gmail.com aka Joseph Santaniello wrote:
>
> >>> Hi All,
> >>> I working on a road bikes for my kids aged 6 and 7. I was planning on
> >>> using Campy Mirage or Xenon, but recently my 7 year old tried to use
> >>> the brifters on a friend's bike with Mirage, and the action was too
> >>> stiff. He couldn't operate the paddle. I was leaning toward Campy
> >>> because I thought the small size would be easier for them to use. The
> >>> kids have no problems operating my Ultegra 6600 brifters which have a
> >>> nice light action, but those are too big and expensive. So now I'm
> >>> thinking Sora. Is Sora light action like Ultegra?
> >>> What other things should I consider?
> > On Aug 16, 5:07 am, "Tom \"Johnny Sunset\" Sherman"
> > <sunsetss0...@invailid.com> wrote:
> >> Bar-end shifters.
>
> joseph.santanie...@gmail.com wrote:
> > I was thinking about that, but then it starts getting semi-expensive
> > again with all the separate parts. But that might just be the way to
> > go. Any recommendations for suitable brake levers?
>
> I understand your not in the US, so this link is only to show he
> levers...not to suggest you get them off US eBay then ship to Europe:http://tinyurl.com/ysg9r5
>
> Point is, I found those levers to be short in the bar-to-end-of-hood
> sense. I think with bar-ends, those levers and maybe some cross-top
> levers, that kid would be set!
>
> Good luck.
>
> \\paul

One of the reasons I like the idea of bar-ends is the kids will be
able to maintain a good grip on the bar while shifting which could be
important with potential missed shifts and the subsequent wobble. Both
my kids have no problems operating my Dura-Ace 9-speed bar ends on my
TT bike now, and this project is for the spring when they will be even
stronger. To start I think I will only enable the shifting in the
rear.

I've already got the cross inline levers all ready to go!

Joseph