Do the hoods look in the right position (classic bars)

[jim haseltine]

Along with a saddle pitched so nose down that it's steeper than a ski jump ramp.

 

[sefton1275gt]

I’ve ordered some shimano Bl r400 levers.


These look like the have a slightly more modern / comfortable hood while still retaining that retro look

Will also let me put the cables under the tape too.

 

[hamster]

I'd say you have them spot on.

 

[Midlife]

I'm surprised that there weren't some more ergonomic bar and lever combinations available, for touring/audax type bikes in particular, but it seems not, really (specifically thinking about flatter tops on drops).

I think I'm right in saying the much more comfortable modern levers and bars only really came about with the advent of STI/Ergopower shifting, because the hoods had to be chunkier to contain the shifting mechanism - so that wasn't even about comfort to begin with!

BITD touring bars sort of rose up from the clamp area with the stem. The levers were tilted up and splayed out slightly. Usually accompanied by thick bar tape / padding.

Edit
This sort of thing but most manufacturers did them, GB were common.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404560557257?hash=item5e31b034c9:g:absAAOSwHIFlMZY8

 

[sefton1275gt]

I’ve just fitted one of the slightly more modern r400 levers (and left the original on the left for comparison) They look pretty similar but the shape of the hoods is a little closer to modern Hoods. They’ll also allow me to hide the cables. So hopefully a decent solution that still looks period. I’ve also ordered a shorter stem.

 

[Old Ned]

today's yoof seem to like having levers placed where the top of the hood is almost vertical. Don't ask why - it's probably what some utube influencer says.

I remember Colin Lewis, in a 'Cycling' training article, saying having your levers like that was like riding with a pair of six-guns. He recommended levers were a lot lower.

 

[sefton1275gt]

A little update.

We also fitted some to my Galaxy aswell

 

[Agency_Scum]

Yes.

 

[jim haseltine]

IMHO, you had the hood position on the Hall pretty good in your October pictures, now it looks like you've moved them further up the bars and rotated the bars up a bit too, resulting in something that looks a bit to modern for non-brifters on a classic frame for my tastes. The Galaxy doesn't look so bad - probably because the bottoms of the bars are set flatter.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Both very nice bikes, levers do look a tiny bit high on the HH to me. I'm not riding it though and if it works for you, go with it