Bicycle Mechanics - On a whim...

anybody ever try to install aero brake levers backwards on bullhorns? I have a pair of nashbar aero road brake levers that I was thinking of putting on some bullhorns.

I figured since the brake cable + housing comes out of the top of the lever *when you hold the lever upright in your hand* that you could install it backwards and wrap the housing + brake cable with the bar tape.

I just want to know if anybody has tried this, and if so, how well does it work?

Do you have just the levers, or some bars too?

I did that for like a day. It works, but I just didn't like how the levers felt on my fingers. It felt more natural with the tips of the levers pointing to the rear. You'll be able to get full aero cable routing either way you mount them.

By aero you mean the regular aaero ones or the time trial type aero ones? At any rate it would be a perfect job for the old school style brakes with the cables running out the top.

okay, I'm gonna draw a quick pic...

As for the brake levers themselves, it doesn't seem like I'd be able to install them "right side up", so to speak, without seriously bending the cable + housing.

And expat, I have the bullhorns and an extra set of levers. I intended to put some TT levers on there, but wondered how they'd work installed backwards, and if anybody had tried them. Thanks for trying to help, tho.

okay, I'm gonna draw a quick pic...

As for the brake levers themselves, it doesn't seem like I'd be able to install them "right side up", so to speak, without seriously bending the cable + housing.

And expat, I have the bullhorns and an extra set of levers. I intended to put some TT levers on there, but wondered how they'd work installed backwards, and if anybody had tried them. Thanks for trying to help, tho.

I am currently running this set-up. It takes some getting used to gripping the levers this way (your pinky and ring finger make the most contact with the lever). I had to bend the actual lever down to get enough "pull" on the cable. I am only running this until I get some TT/bar end levers.

I am currently running this set-up. It takes some getting used to gripping the levers this way (your pinky and ring finger make the most contact with the lever). I had to bend the actual lever down to get enough "pull" on the cable. I am only running this until I get some TT/bar end levers.

out of curiosity, what kinda shifters do you have on this bike?

out of curiosity, what kinda shifters do you have on this bike?

None

ahh.. I was considering putting bar end shifters on the handlebar with the aero brake installed backwards. I'm gonna give it a shot and see how it works.

ahh.. I was considering putting bar end shifters on the handlebar with the aero brake installed backwards. I'm gonna give it a shot and see how it works.

That's pretty much what I had, except the levers were "right side up." Come to think of it, I may have drilled a hole in the bullhorn for the cable routing problem you're talking about.