Drop Bars brake levers, Small hands - where get shims?

[RideToWorky]

Hi All,


Brake levers:
Shimano Claris 8 speed STIs
(Not Tiagra as originally thought)


Any idea where I can get those shims that bring the levers closer to the bars, for my Shimano Claris 8 speed STIs?


Found some, but evans say won't fit CLARIS levers
Anyone actually tried these though? Do they actually work?!
https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized ... aign=38953



PS:
I posted on this a while back, more fact finding than specifics:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=103278


PPS:
My bike details:
http://www.gtbicycles.com/gbr_en/2014/b ... -gts-sport

[Brucey]

the part number is here

http://www.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/EV/bikecomponents/ST/EV-ST-2400-3492_v1_m56577569830818494.pdf

which you can then search for online. Or just order them from your local shimano dealer.

cheers

[RideToWorky]

You are a star Brucey!

I'll use that website from now on

[andrewjoseph]

i made some for wife from bits of rubber i had spare. the shims weren't thick enough.

[gregoryoftours]

Before you buy some, if you got the bike new you might have a selection of them as part of the gumph you got with the bike. I'd also ask in Evans if they have any spare - they may have built lots of those bikes up from the box and have them hanging around unused. I got a new bike from Decathlon and the workshop staff didn't even know what they were for.

[gregoryoftours]

Ah I misunderstood, I thought you bought the bike new from Evans. If you did buy it from a shop you could ask if they have any lying around from bike builds. They do make a difference, by the way. I've fitted some to 2 sets of stis, Although it didn't immediately feel hugely different, it is definitely less of a strain to use the brakes, particularly from the hoods, and easier to brake with more power. You need to let a bit of cable out at the caliper clamp though, otherwise you are left with little to no pad clearance and your bite point will stay exactly the same so no benefit in use.

[Redvee]

I've had them on my 105 STIs from new but when I transfer the kit onto my new frame ion a few weeks time they're coming off.

[RideToWorky]

Ah I misunderstood, I thought you bought the bike new from Evans. If you did buy it from a shop you could ask if they have any lying around from bike builds. They do make a difference, by the way. I've fitted some to 2 sets of stis, Although it didn't immediately feel hugely different, it is definitely less of a strain to use the brakes, particularly from the hoods, and easier to brake with more power. You need to let a bit of cable out at the caliper clamp though, otherwise you are left with little to no pad clearance and your bite point will stay exactly the same so no benefit in use.

Thanks for the tip Greg!

I did indeed buy from Evans.
Will pop in and ask on the off chance!

Failing that, will order from them


Regards
Martin

[RideToWorky]

Ah I misunderstood, I thought you bought the bike new from Evans. If you did buy it from a shop you could ask if they have any lying around from bike builds. They do make a difference, by the way. I've fitted some to 2 sets of stis, Although it didn't immediately feel hugely different, it is definitely less of a strain to use the brakes, particularly from the hoods, and easier to brake with more power. You need to let a bit of cable out at the caliper clamp though, otherwise you are left with little to no pad clearance and your bite point will stay exactly the same so no benefit in use.

Thanks for the tip Greg!

I did indeed buy from Evans.
Will pop in and ask on the off chance!

Failing that, will order from them


Regards
Martin

Thanks for the tip Greg!

Helpful chaps at Evans just gave me a pair for free from their workshop parts bin
Mind you I did buy the bike from them, so a pair of those would have been in the box my bike came in originally anyway!


All good

Regards
Martin

[Brian73]

I must have half a dozen sets of those sti shims in different sizes, shops must have hundreds of them.

They make different ones for ergo drop bars too.

Bike workshops are great for picking up free bits, I usually bung a couple of quid in their charity box (if they have one).

[RideToWorky]

I must have half a dozen sets of those sti shims in different sizes, shops must have hundreds of them.

They make different ones for ergo drop bars too.

Bike workshops are great for picking up free bits, I usually bung a couple of quid in their charity box (if they have one).

Hi Brian,

I can imagine!

Different types of Shims?
The ones he gave me seemed, really skinny, not sure if they will make any difference for me. I'll put on at the weekend, and check brakes don't drag etc.


The chap did say as well:
1. My hands weren't that small!
2. It could be the shape of the drop bars. if shallow drop, then levers will be further away. Not much can do in that case, need new drop bards (£30 approx) - is this about right??!



Hope you can advise

Regards
Martin

[pwa]

The shims are not just for people with small hands. They are for anyone who wants less of a reach to the levers.

I prefer to have a proper gap between the brake blocks and the rim so that when I descend a hill I can pull the lever a little closer to the bar before the block touches the rim. That makes the lever more comfortable for me to hold ready for use. Effectively I am simulating the effect of shims without installing them. And when I really want to brake suddenly the extra delay is a tiny fraction of a second. It works well for me, and the brakes can lock the wheels without the lever getting anywhere near the bar.

[Brian73]

I have 14

There's 2 sizes, +4 degrees for normal drop bars and +8 degrees for anatomic shape drops bars. They're stamped on the back, 4 or 8

[gregoryoftours]

I'm glad you got some, it sounds like you might have got the 4 degree ones though, you might get on with the 8 degree ones better. I haven't got small hand either but I find it much more comfortable to use my levers with the thickest shims available. There's still no danger of the levers bottoming out on the bars.