Classic & Vintage - Vintage aero brake lever options?

I have a late 70's Mondia Super that I've restored. It came to me with a Suntour Superbe group, which I retained on the re-build. Lately I've come across a nice Cinelli stem/bar combo, and the bars are set up to accept an aero configuration. I have to re-tape the new bars anyway after I install them, so I'm thinking of going "aero" to get a cleaner line to the bike.

here's my questions:

1) Did Suntour make an aero version of their brake levers, and if not, what would be a suitable period replacement to consider?

2) Anybody have a nice set that they want to trade/sell? I've got some decent saddles and other stuff....

DiaCompe and Shimano both made aero levers, starting sometime after 1980. They show up on eBay from time to time. Sorry, you can't have mine (upgrade/update on PKN-10 and Bianchi). :)

You need these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Weinmann-Delta-Pro-Brake-Set-NIB_W0QQitemZ7241734891QQ

not exactly suntour or japanese but. . .

if not then I'd go with the diacomp levers.

marty

there are suntour superbe aero levers as well. and cyclone too! The superbe levers were made during the last production runs in the late '80s though so they are hard to get

Cane Creek makes a nice set of Aero brake levers. I put them on my Trek project and think they look great.

http://www.canecreek.com/typo3temp/pics/1c85bde23a.jpg

^^ rebadged tektros. Nice levers though. Comfortable. I have the tektro versions...

- Joel

Just to mess around, Campy makes a Record aero brake lever, but not really a vintage part.

I believe one of the LBS here has NOS Suntour Cyclone aero levers on hand. Won't be cheap though.

-Kurt

I've got a pair of Shimano 600 aero levers. But I don't have the correct hoods.

DO those rebadged Crane Creeks have spring-assist return? I put the Crane Creek 200TT levers on my bullhorn bars and really like the spring-assist.

I'm pretty sure the Nashbar aero levers are also re-badged Tektros.
Bossman, I have a somewhat tatty set of Dia-Compe aero levers that came off my crushed Miyata 312, vintage of '86 or so. They're yours if you want them.
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DO those rebadged Crane Creeks have spring-assist return? I put the Crane Creek 200TT levers on my bullhorn bars and really like the spring-assist.

my tektros do. I run one without a brake attached to it and it doesn't rattle toooo much.

- Joel

I have a late 70's Mondia Super that I've restored. It came to me with a Suntour Superbe group, which I retained on the re-build. Lately I've come across a nice Cinelli stem/bar combo, and the bars are set up to accept an aero configuration. I have to re-tape the new bars anyway after I install them, so I'm thinking of going "aero" to get a cleaner line to the bike.

here's my questions:

1) Did Suntour make an aero version of their brake levers, and if not, what would be a suitable period replacement to consider?

2) Anybody have a nice set that they want to trade/sell? I've got some decent saddles and other stuff....

Excuse my ignorance, but you say your bars are set up to accept aero? Do you mean aero levers? I thought aero levers could be put on basically any drop-bars. What makes your bars special? Sorry, I'm always learning. :)

Excuse my ignorance, but you say your bars are set up to accept aero? Do you mean aero levers? I thought aero levers could be put on basically any drop-bars. What makes your bars special? Sorry, I'm always learning. :)

You're right - you can go aero on any bar set. But these were made for aero. They have drilled holes under where the lever would be, and again near the stem to allow routing the cable internally.

No unsightly bulges or VCL (Visible Cable Lines) :D

I'm pretty sure the Nashbar aero levers are also re-badged Tektros.
Bossman, I have a somewhat tatty set of Dia-Compe aero levers that came off my crushed Miyata 312, vintage of '86 or so. They're yours if you want them.
Top

Top,

Check your PM's.

You're right - you can go aero on any bar set. But these were made for aero. They have drilled holes under where the lever would be, and again near the stem to allow routing the cable internally.

No unsightly bulges or VCL (Visible Cable Lines) :D

Oh, ok...very nice. I have a pair of the Tektro Aeros that I'm putting on my P6 tonight - just got the cables in the mail last night. They sure are nice levers for the $$.

" I've got a pair of Shimano 600 aero levers. But I don't have the correct hoods."

Check which model they are. There should be a small number stamped on the lever arm and also on the body of the brake if you peel away the back of the hood.

The latest model, the BL-R600 is exactly the same as the model BL-6403 (marked "Shimano 600" on the arms) which came out in 1990. There were only very minor cosmetic changes made over the years (like gray painted arms on the early models). The newest versions are actually still stamped "BL-6403" on the body of the levers. [Yeah, for once, Shimano didn't screw up something which worked perfectly well for 15 years.]

If your model is either BL-6401, BL-6403, or BL-R600 you should be able to find replacements. The stock number for these from Quality Bicycle Products [wholesale only] is: BR5116 ... your LBS should be able to order them.

...If you have the earlier "600" aero levers BL-6209 or BL-6300, you're probably out of luck on replacement hoods.

You're right - you can go aero on any bar set. But these were made for aero. They have drilled holes under where the lever would be, and again near the stem to allow routing the cable internally.

No unsightly bulges or VCL (Visible Cable Lines) :D

I've never heard of this but it makes sense. My bars have an indentation for cables.