Shifters for (very) small hands

[joejack951]

Di2 shifters are really compact and narrow (which I think will help) but they've still got the high Shimano pivot point.

Why are you fixating on the location of the pivot? So long as you match the levers to the brake calipers, braking force won’t be a problem. Is there a separate ergonomic issue with the long pull SLR-EV levers?

[Nohands83]

Di2 shifters are really compact and narrow (which I think will help) but they've still got the high Shimano pivot point.

Why are you fixating on the location of the pivot? So long as you match the levers to the brake calipers, braking force won’t be a problem. Is there a separate ergonomic issue with the long pull SLR-EV levers?

Because that was it my understanding it’s that which determines how different levers feel (ergonomics aside) - particularly when you’re on the hoods. I found SRAM and Shimano feel noticeably different in this respect (I don’t have experience with campag), even though I have big hands.

[joeyb1000]

There was a specific reason I mentioned 12s. There is are two positions for the lever. The attached photos are mechanical 12s in short mode (the bars are Deda Deep). On 12s the paddles are bigger and wind up on the outside of the bar when the brake is applied. However, even I need to be on top of the lever to shift to the large chainring well -- but's where I often am when shifting the front anyway.
A used 11s EPS system is an option too. The advantage here is that you just need to get the tip of your finger on the shifter. And, the system can adapt to any 11s cassette you already have. The photo is also on a deda Deep bar.

Thanks that’s really useful, she’s going to be using compact drops so there should be less issue hitting the outside of the bars. Do you know if Chorus 12 shifters have the same level of adjustability?

Yes, Chorus is the same except the brake lever is aluminum.

[woodyvalentine]

Another vote for Sram Etap rim. Either 11 or 12 speed will work (depends on budget - Force AXS or 11 speed Red likely choices). Levers/hoods are small. Adjustable reach in 3 positions. Use Dura-ace brake cables/housing for better braking. Make sure bars have 70mm reach or less if possible. Short and shallow drop too (less than 125mm drop). Often it's a combo of both bar and levers. Not sure what the dims are on the bars she's using. Likely would want a width of 36 or 38 as well.

[joeyb1000]

Here is SRAM AXS on the same bar. I no longer have them, so I can't measure it. Let us know what you decide on.

[joejack951]

Di2 shifters are really compact and narrow (which I think will help) but they've still got the high Shimano pivot point.

Why are you fixating on the location of the pivot? So long as you match the levers to the brake calipers, braking force won’t be a problem. Is there a separate ergonomic issue with the long pull SLR-EV levers?

Because that was it my understanding it’s that which determines how different levers feel (ergonomics aside) - particularly when you’re on the hoods. I found SRAM and Shimano feel noticeably different in this respect (I don’t have experience with campag), even though I have big hands.

I'll have to take a closer look. From what I recall seeing (confirmed by Google searching the various levers), the difference in cable pull isn't so much a relocation of the pivot for the lever as it is a difference in height from where the pivot is located to where the brake cable is anchored in the lever. I have small-ish hands for my size, and I'm on the smaller side (174cm tall) and don't feel a massive difference between super-short pull levers (Shimano 6500), long pull (Shimano 5800), and short pull Campagnolo (Chorus 11).

I will note that I initially had issues with the 5800 levers because I had my brake pads set too close to the rim resulting in very little free-travel of the lever. I opened things up a bit and brake feel was much improved with the lever traveling closer to the bar.

[Nohands83]

Old thread I know (I started it), but posting an update in the hope that it helps others...

I fitted the Shimano small hands ST-R7025 initially, feedback was better but still not good - don't think the overly large shifter blades actually help. She tried AXS on a rental bike in Mallorca last year and it was much better for her, I think the lack of throw when shifting is a big factor as well, not just the braking.

Toyed with the idea of putting AXS on her bike, ended up getting a really good deal on GRX Di2 and she's very happy with them - obviously no lever throw, very small diameter, high pivot point. They're the most comfortable shifters I used as well (I've got big shovel hands) - so much so that I'm going to make the change to my gravel bike as well.

[poulhansen]

I just bought bike with SRAM Etap 11 sp and the shifting is flawless and the lever distance to the bar is adjustable. You could even sand off a bit of the gearshifter, to get the levers even closer, as they only need a soft touch.

[Nohands83]

Following up on this again, my other half's rear brake has developed a banshee-level screech - I've done all the usual actions to mitigate - sanded pads, sanded rotors, isopropyl alcohol, re-bedding in, but it keeps coming back. The next port of call is the local shop to check for a leaking piston but before I wondered if this could somehow be related to her lack of hand strength, that she is somehow causing this?

[poulhansen]

On my MTB I changed from sintered/metallic to organic/resin and no squeal except when disks are wet, then it does take a handful to dry them but it only takes a few seconds.

[Chew]

Old thread I know (I started it), but posting an update in the hope that it helps others...

I fitted the Shimano small hands ST-R7025 initially, feedback was better but still not good - don't think the overly large shifter blades actually help. She tried AXS on a rental bike in Mallorca last year and it was much better for her, I think the lack of throw when shifting is a big factor as well, not just the braking.

Toyed with the idea of putting AXS on her bike, ended up getting a really good deal on GRX Di2 and she's very happy with them - obviously no lever throw, very small diameter, high pivot point. They're the most comfortable shifters I used as well (I've got big shovel hands) - so much so that I'm going to make the change to my gravel bike as well.

Thanks for following up on this, I'm looking for something better for my wife who has the same problem. She not keen to spend money on a Di2 setup yet, so I'm wondering what was wrong with the 7025, they are marketed as good for small hands. What is it about the blade?
BTW which GRX di2 model did you get?
Thanks.

[Nohands83]

Old thread I know (I started it), but posting an update in the hope that it helps others...

I fitted the Shimano small hands ST-R7025 initially, feedback was better but still not good - don't think the overly large shifter blades actually help. She tried AXS on a rental bike in Mallorca last year and it was much better for her, I think the lack of throw when shifting is a big factor as well, not just the braking.

Toyed with the idea of putting AXS on her bike, ended up getting a really good deal on GRX Di2 and she's very happy with them - obviously no lever throw, very small diameter, high pivot point. They're the most comfortable shifters I used as well (I've got big shovel hands) - so much so that I'm going to make the change to my gravel bike as well.

Thanks for following up on this, I'm looking for something better for my wife who has the same problem. She not keen to spend money on a Di2 setup yet, so I'm wondering what was wrong with the 7025, they are marketed as good for small hands. What is it about the blade?
BTW which GRX di2 model did you get?
Thanks.

I think the issue she had with the R7025 is that the hood itself is still quite large in diameter, so if you've got small hands they've still got a long way to stretch to before you get to the levers - regardless of the pivot point or lever size.

I picked up a x1 11 speed Di2 setup for about £500 all in from ebay - already had the cranks and cassette. The braking in particularly is very good for GRX Di2.

I think the new smaller (Rival and Force) SRAM AXS levers could also be an option but she's not actually used them.