cant_ride Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hi all, I've not been on this forum for years, hasn't changed a bit though! I'm half way through my product design degree major project and I'm developing a dual control lever for hydraulic brakes that helps people with limb deficiencies and grip problems get into competitive cycling whether its trials, XC or whatever else. Follow my project at http://www.productdesignforums.com/index.p...amp;#entry64674 What I'd really like from you guys if you have a few spare minutes is just to register your interest first of all. Also I need a collection of images of unusual brake lever set ups and positions. These have to include the angle you have your brake levers in profile (from the side) and if you could, a brief description of why you look your brakes set up the way they are (angle, distance from grips, how far you like to pul the lever before the brakes lock etc.) Any feedback or input you provide will be a great help and if I use your comments or pictures in my project you will be fully credited! (for those less aware.. that doesn't mean that I'll be giving you any money )Thanks so muchOlip.s. moderators if this isn't appropriate for this forum then please remove it but please also notify me that you have done so I can try for participants elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Fel Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 I'm not sure if you know about him but there is a lad on this forum called 1handedluke. As you can probably guess from the name he only has the full use of one of his hands. I'm not sure if he still rides but it might be worth speaking to him to help your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 (edited) Get in touch with 1handedluke, as the name suggests, he'll no doubt love to be part of this project.EDIT: Too slow. Edited January 19, 2009 by Muel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonMack Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Pretty sure he's already in contact with him if you look at the linked posts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cant_ride Posted January 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hey, Thanks for the heads up.. I do know luke, we ride together in Colchester when I'm not in Brighton. Luke is actually the main inspiration for this project as I do find it amazing how well he riders despite having no specialised equipment etc. Dont let him know though because he can be a real bighead!Keep the replies coming.. I knew trials forum would guarantee quick replies!Oli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan6061 Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 Hey, first of all, brilliant project!I remember seeing some of Lukes brake set-ups. Where he had two hoses coming out of the one Magura lever, which was connect to both front, and back brake. Was a good idea, but was a shame that he could only use both brakes at once...Anyway, I took a quick picture of my front brake lever from a side profile, so you can see the angle I like best.I have to have both levers at the same angle, otherwise it feels too weird for me! The angle I have them at usually makes them sit flat (90degrees..ish) when I'm on the backwheel, which feels most comfortable for me.I have them sat quite far away from the ends of the grips, as I have large hands, plus I only ever use my index fingers on the end of the levers, so I get the best leverage this way.I took a picture to show you the gap between the lever and the grip:I don't have much pull on the levers until the brakes lock, if they pull back too far, then it doesn't feel right to me? Which can be a pain as my brakes are always close to rubbing! So a slight buckle and my pads rub!I think that's everything you need? Feel free to ask me if you need more info'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r2wtrials Posted January 19, 2009 Report Share Posted January 19, 2009 (edited) Slightly different view... a friend of mine makes and sells thumb brakes for racing motorcycles but he has been contacted by a group in the USA who think it is a good idea for people that only have the use of the thumb because of injuries or whatever... obviously a bit heavy duty for cycles but the idea can be scaled down to suit. Anyway i have just started doing a simple web site for him and it has some images if it helps at all... link belowHudson Performance Edited January 19, 2009 by r2wtrials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cant_ride Posted January 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 (edited) Hey Dan, thanks for the reply thats exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. Maybe 20 others and I'll be sorted!r2w cheers for the link.. I was looking at thumb brakes but unfortunately my product needs to suit all MTB disciplines and would get in the way of gear thumbshifters. Fine with gripshift but not everyone prefers that. In fact most of the XC riders of ive spoken to prefer thumb and index shifting.. I think because it feels a lot more positive.OliKEEP THEM COMING!! Edited January 21, 2009 by cant_ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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