Small handed riders - brake/shifter advice

On my current road/tourer, riding with my hands on the top of the hoods is fine - I don't feel stretched out at all, but I don't have sufficient reach to pull the brakes effectively! Shifting isn't a problem, but the point at which my fingers make contact with the brake is v high up and my braking power is really weak.

I'm spending 2 weeks riding up to the arctic circle in Norway this summer, and it will involve A LOT of mountains, so I want to make sure I can brake with confidence when i'm zipping down the other side.. I'm currently using Tiagra shifter - can anyone recommend anything suitable for smaller hands, and something compatible with my current set up (2 on the front, 10 on the back)?

Thanks for the help

Mtb thumbshifters? Not sure about compatability tho

WOW that sounds like an AWESOME trip !

First thoughts that jump to mind are:
Have you tried the little shims you can put in the hoods ?

Else maybe you can add levers like this :

Thanks!

Yeah, I've got shims in there already, and I think those extra levers will have to be my last resort - I'd have to sacrifice my snazzy new bar bag. Where will I put my snacks!

I've tended to stay away from Shimano shifters as they seem designed for giant hands. I've got SRAM shifters on my road bike, which work well for me. Is your reach in the drops okay? I was really worried about braking during my first trip to the alps as I normally only ride on the hoods, but didn't have a problem getting into the drops for hairpin turn descents.

I've been reading that SRAM shifters are better for lil hands, pricey though! Are some better than others, or are they all relatively small? Reach in the drops is kind of OK but my fingers are still only just around the levers, but could be because I'm not used to it.

di2 and hyrdaulic brakes solves this

Thanks, but Not compatible with my set up..

SRAM. I have 2011 Rival brifters on one bike and 2015 Tiagra on another. The SRAMs are much better for my dinky little digits. They have a little cam in them that can bring the lever closer to the bars without the need for shims too.

Wait, sram rival brifters or shifters?? It seems sram is the thing to go for, but I'm struggling to justify spending £150 on them as the whole Tiagra group set only cost about £200... Ugh

new bike time, never a bad thing

Both. Or either. Double taps.

Are they rly £150? Maybe keep an eye out second hand.

Are SRAM shifters compatible with Shimano components or would I need to change to a SRAM groupset? I'm looking to upgrade the shifters on my 'ancient' and little used Trek.

SRAM shifters are only compatible with SRAM mechs, the rest of the groupset should be fine. Providing the amount of sprockets on the cassette match the amount the SRAM shifters are designed for, other wise you'll need a cassette and chain as well.

They aren't, no. I kinda forgot to check that before I bought some SRAM shifters on eBay.. So now I've gotta get compatible derailleurs, but at least I'll be more comfortable!!

And as far as I'm aware, it's just the derailleurs that'd need changing if you're getting Sram shifters (assuming you're matching the speeds of the shifters with your current cassette), but someone correct me if I'm wrong? Plus cables..

So. SRAM 10 speed shifters plus SRAM front and rear derailleurs can work with Shimano 10 speed cassette?

Hmm. I might need to rethink this as I've only just upgraded the rear derailleur, cassette, new chain and brakes to 105s. Current shifters are Sora which I've long disliked so I'll probably change that to a 105 and stick some shims in them.

Thanks for the information. Always useful.

Yes, should do.

The rear mechs have different cable pull to shimano, you will need a new rear mech.

The front mechs have the same cable pull unless they are for sram yaw(sram 22, sram red) then it changes.

Cassette and chain are the same more or less, cables you might get away with just new inner cables.

not particularly helpful but campag shifters are by far the nicest to use for small handed people. No reach adjust but small hood and high pivot point so easy to brake from the hoods.

Current Campag (Ergopower) 10-11 or old (ergo-lever) 9-10 speed style?

Because I find Ergopower to be huge, which is why I (big hands) like them. But Ergolever style are tiny (which I used to like as more like old school non-brifter brake levers).

both. Current 10-11 shape are slightly larger than the old one, but still smaller in both length and girth (heh) than sram or shimano.

I've never heard anyone who described them as huge.

Thank you, v helpful (as I was just about to buy a front mech)..

Now, anyone with a rear 10sp sram derailleur?!