Extra bar top brakes on cyclo-cross bikes...

[Pupp]

Hopefully pick up a new ride this week, a Cube Cross Race 2012, which like pretty puch all cross bikes seems to come with additional brake levers on the bar tops. What's the wisdom on these? Useful or just extra junk to be jettisoned?

On my road bikes, I pretty much always ride on the hoods unless really climbing when I use the tops (and wouldn't want to brake). Is there some off-road technique I'm oblivious to that needs these things?

[Rolls]

would mean you can get your weight back, and be on the brakes if needed for decending I guess...!

[matt-ITR]

Horses for courses. I took them off before the first ride.

[DrMekon]

Rolls said:

would mean you can get your weight back, and be on the brakes if needed for decending I guess...!

I'm using my cross bike as a commuter, so had thought they were useless. However, that sounds like a good point.

[anonymous-user]

unless you are racing, you are unlikely to ever use them...

[shalmaneser]

bin 'em

[matt-ITR]

pablo said:

unless you are racing, you are unlikely to ever use them...

I'd say the opposite. Racers never use them, all the time is spent on hoods or drops.

[h4muf]

Great for tricky techie peaks riding,would never take mine off!

[g_stacey]

Keep them.

[Pupp]

Too late, they're toast

I won't be doing any serious off-roading on this bike and I didn't like the efect they had on brake feel.