thinking about them as a second braking option from the tops of the bars on my road bike. any experiences or feedback on how they work/feel?

thanks,
lenny

I had them and they worked fine. Personally, I didn't like the feel of the blades. The thinness and the cutouts didn't appeal to me. I traded up to Paul's levers, and they are more comfortable for me.

thinking about them as a second braking option from the tops of the bars on my road bike.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away K-Mart and Sears sold bikes with safety (suicide) levers that you could brake with from the tops. A good hard panic grip on these safety levers allowed for a nice endo. Braking from the tops has two negative effects: 1)your center of gravity is higher which means you may endo; 2)your hands are closer to the stem meaning you do not have as much control/leverage as when your hands are on the hoods or drops. Another fine safety feature brought to you by a government agency.

If you are spending that much time riding on the tops of your bars at speed I would recommend putting the money you have budgeted for a second set of brake levers into a proper bike fit session. Once you get your bike set up properly you should be more comfortable riding on the hoods and in the drops. In addition to be more comfortable you should also be safer.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away K-Mart and Sears sold bikes with safety (suicide) levers that you could brake with from the tops. A good hard panic grip on these safety levers allowed for a nice endo. Braking from the tops has two negative effects: 1)your center of gravity is higher which means you may endo; 2)your hands are closer to the stem meaning you do not have as much control/leverage as when your hands are on the hoods or drops. Another fine safety feature brought to you by a government agency.

If you are spending that much time riding on the tops of your bars at speed I would recommend putting the money you have budgeted for a second set of brake levers into a proper bike fit session. Once you get your bike set up properly you should be more comfortable riding on the hoods and in the drops. In addition to be more comfortable you should also be safer.
No offense, but this is a load of nonsense.

Cool to see the Pallmans-Colstrop team in the Paris Roubaix use them. Watch the video!

No offense, but this is a load of nonsense.
Thank you. I've already gotten myself in trouble once today. - TF

No offense, but this is a load of nonsense.

Okay, most of the first paragraph was a poor attempt at humor. But really now, if he is spending that much time on the tops while riding on the road don't you think there may be a fit issue?

Now granted I have never used the cross levers but actual knowledge is usually not needed for posting here and I do have a few road miles under my belt. Flame away and educate me on the "need" for a second set of lever on the road. If the levers are just a "want" then ignore my opinion.

I don't think OP mentioned needing them in the first place. And since when did that become the prerequisite for bike set-up?

As for fit, it all depends on how you want to ride your bike.

I use one for the front brake on my fixie and it works fine.

Ok, I'll set myself up here.
I'm a cyclocross racer and a serious road racer.

I use the Salsa levers on my 'cross bike and like them. One caveat, the drilled-out holes aren't for everyone; though I don't notice, a training buddy of mine does.
I would never put in-line levers on my road bike; I like the clean look of the bike and I've raced for 15 years and haven't found a need for them. However, as one poster above explained, this isn't about need. In the next 5 years we'll see a bunch of people add these onto their road bike, and rightfully so. Many people find riding on the tops the most comfortable place, and it's not due to poor bike fit, it's due to person preference. I have a recreational rider friend who's adding them to his road bike. It's a matter of convenience, like having Ergopower over downtube shifters. Are they necessary, no, but they are nice.

I also can't ever remember a time when I came even remotely close to endoing beacuse of the levers. I understand the 'theory", but I don't think that argument holds water at all.

Okay, most of the first paragraph was a poor attempt at humor. But really now, if he is spending that much time on the tops while riding on the road don't you think there may be a fit issue?

Now granted I have never used the cross levers but actual knowledge is usually not needed for posting here and I do have a few road miles under my belt. Flame away and educate me on the "need" for a second set of lever on the road. If the levers are just a "want" then ignore my opinion.
You are assuming that everybody does, should and wants to ride like you do. They don't. - TF

Thanks to all of you for the advice, I think?

The reason for my inquiry into the salsa brake levers is due to a medical condition. I have Lou Gehrig's disease, it's lots of fun. The disease is currently affecting my hands, arms, and shoulders. Thankfully, my legs are unaffected and remain strong. I love riding and will not stop, even if I have to duct tape my hands to the handlebars!

Where I'm currently having the problem however, is when breaking down a steep descent, my hands and arms will fatigue, and it becomes difficult to hold myself up and ride aggressively, (through tight turns, over rough road etc..) A lot of times I resort to gripping the top tube with my thighs to hold myself up and back. I thought cross lovers would provide me with an alternative braking position where I could leave the my entire palm on the handlebar and still break - which I thought would provide some relief in long braking desents. Right now I predominantly break from the tops of the hoods, with my thumbs hooked over the insides of the hoods. I break with my index and middle fingers, but do not have as firm a grip on the bars as I would like.

I would love any information on any breaking alternatives that would provide some relief to breaking from the hoods.

I think the cross levers are worth a shot.

A less aggressive position in general might remove weight from your hands/arms and keep them from fatiguing.

You might look into setting up your bike with a drag brake (e.g. friction shifter + hub brake).

I read a piece in Rivendell Reader about a rider with a degenerative condition who found that switching to fixed gear bikes helped him keep riding. In his case it allowed a strong leg to better compensate for a weaker one. But in your case it would allow you to control speed somewhat with your legs.

We have a spry 75 year old who had some problems similar to yours in regards to hand strength. He just had a frame put together with Avid non hydraulic discs so he can hopefully make it around the corners down hill a little slower.

Some other angles on this debate about cross brake levers are here:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=24274


Seems to me that it really is about choice and what works for you.