I've used the standard Tektro RL340 levers for over 10 years, have had a bike with TRP RRLs for the past few years, and recently built a bike with the Shimanos.
I've heard/read more than once that the Tektros are based on the Campagnolo brifter hood shape, with many citing the extra width vs Shimano hoods being more comfortable. The RRLs are similar to the standard Tektro levers but with some ergonomic changes (TRP is Tektro Racing Products, so the same company). I like them but they are a bit more modern and look better on a bike built to suit. With the Shimanos I was a little concerned going in that the narrower hoods might result in feeling more pressure. Thankfully that hasn't been the case but the bike I have them on has very little saddle to bar drop (48cm Noodles). The reach on the Shimanos is noticeably less due to the smaller body and that suits this bike / bar position as well. I don't have a lot of miles on them yet but so far like them at least as much as the other levers. Your mention of 52cm Noodles has me curious about the use of the bike? My drop bar mountain bike has the 52cm XL version of the Beacons that Jeff uses and I really like the width and shallow drop for leverage on trails, but that bike has the top of the bar above saddle height. On a more roadish bike like your Homer or the Pescadero I just rebuilt, the 48cm Noodles feel quite wide. When comparing to the Albatross keep in mind that the feel of the reach decreases when your hands are closer together. I find my preferred stem length for Albatross bars is 30-40mm longer then with drops, but that's for more standard width drops (42-44cm range). Wider drops tend to need to be set closer and higher. -Dave (near Boston) On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 10:37:43 PM UTC-4 ttoshi wrote: > For me, the big difference is whether or not I am riding in the drops or > on the hoods. For descents, I often will ride in the drops to reduce wind > resistance and the TRP levers with the outward bend make it easier to brake > while in the drops. However, I find the Shimano levers more comfortable on > the hoods. > > Nevertheless, I tend to ride more in the drops than the hoods, so TRPs are > the winner for me. > > Toshi in Oakland > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/ed4fc9fd-727c-4416-be3a-c04bab336cfen%40googlegroups.com.
