A quick review before eating Christmas dinner (I was run out of kitchen for getting in the way! )
For Christmas I got a set of the cheap Chinese brake lever guards to comply with the 2014 Rule book change
For $30 a pair instead of $100 for a single I figured they would be worth a try
Do they do the job?
Yes…..but….
First thing I noticed was the sharp edges on the curved part near your fingers
This is NOT good !
In a crash could cut thru gloves injuring fingers IMHO
So I spent 5-10 minutes with a file smoothing any sharp edges I could feel with my bare fingers
The mount is adjustable & even the milled adjuster slot for the set screws had sharp edges - ARGH !
The clamping mechanism is like a old school bicycle stem with bolt, nut, & expanding wedge.
Has to be tightened a lot to keep from rotating in bar.
I fear tightening too much may deform (bulge) handlebar from the inside out
Thinking of stealing Michael DeSimone's idea of using a piece of rubber to give it more grip
I have a 700x18-20mm thin wall bicycle road tube that looks to be just about the right size w/o extra tube flopping around
Will slip wedge inside a short section of tube, then insert into bar, & tighten
Hoping that will give more grip so lever guard will not rotate as easily and prevent over tightening & bar deformation
I worry, if bar bulges too much from over tightening lever guard clamp, it could cause throttle tube to grab & not return freely to closed position
Also you get 2 lever guards when ordering.
The clutch side can be used on the brake side
Tried this setup first & included pics of difference between the left & right lever guards for you to see
Conclusion…
They will work to protect the brake lever
Bet the Woodcraft are better (but much more expensive)
Will they pass Tech ????
We will have to get a ruling from Walter or Linz
Link to pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8063532...7639141363273/
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