[mellow_sparky]

On nearly every bike I have seen, the brake levers are mounted next to the grip and the shifters are inboard (closer to the stem). However, when the shop built up my bike, they did it the other way around (see picture).

It seems to work fine for me - the brake functions like a single finger and the shifters are close enough, but not annoying.

Is there a philosophy here as to why this set-up isn't commonly used?

 

[Serial Midget]

I've never operated levers set up this way - it seems like it would be pretty awkward.

 

[ridiculous]

Ive had that exact same setup before. It was comfortable for me as my thumbs and index fingers were in just the right places on the shifter controls and brake levers. However, i did have my brake lever further inboard than pictured.

Change it to however it feels most comfortable.

 

[Joyride]

Lever set-up is a personal thing. Both SRAM and Shimano make their high end shifters adjustable so the brake can be ran inboard or outboard of the shifter. If you like to use one finger on the brake and have that finger rest on the outer edge of the brake lever, then run your brakes inboard. I prefer that setup mainly because my hands are on the smaller side so I like my shifter levers closer to the grips.

Basically either way is fine as long as you are comfortable with your set up.

 

[demo 9]

Thats how i have ran mine for the last few years, couldnt reach the shifter the other way

 

[TheMontashu]

If you use 1 finger to brake, that seems to work allot better for people. But don't forget people are pussies and want to be able to grab a fist full of brake. Or they are on the dumb side and use 1 finger in the middle of the lever

 

[sanjuro]

If you use 1 finger to brake, that seems to work allot better for people. But don't forget people are pussies and want to be able to grab a fist full of brake. Or they are on the dumb side and use 1 finger in the middle of the lever

For optimal leverage, you want your index finger at the end of the brake lever, keeping in mind that most riders shift their hands towards the end of the bars.

As for the shifters, riders will move their hands over all of the bars, so shifter placement is less critical.

Also many riders will never brake and shift at the same time, so being slightly awkward is not necessarily a big problem.

Personally, I like my brake levers in as far as possible but no so much my shifters.

 

[Racebike]

I run them like that too. Like someone said, personal preference.

I have the brakes mounted so far in on the bar that I wouldn't reach the shifter if it was on the inside.

 

[HAB]

I run mine like that as well. Set them up for optimal one finger braking, then I need to have the shifter inboard in order to be able to reach it. Works great (for me anyway).

 

[TheMontashu]

For optimal leverage, you want your index finger at the end of the brake lever, keeping in mind that most riders shift their hands towards the end of the bars.

As for the shifters, riders will move their hands over all of the bars, so shifter placement is less critical.

Also many riders will never brake and shift at the same time, so being slightly awkward is not necessarily a big problem.

Personally, I like my brake levers in as far as possible but no so much my shifters.

You definitely fall into the idiot category. Last I checked you have purchased both a 29er and ergon grips.

 

[w00dy]

As said above, this is the proper setup for single finger braking.