Bicycle Mechanics - What bikes or components have a second brake handle?

I have seen some bikes... and I cannot remember the brand of bike or the components that offered a second brake handle... either on aero bars or on the top of drop bars.

These are not the suicide brakes of the '70s but a second brake handle that I think works with brifters... but I am not sure of the brifters part... Maybe these are SRAM.

Anyway... trying to get a handle on these. You wrenches no doubt have seen these... so give me the facts please.

These? http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1015&brand=&sku=10888&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat:%20Brake%20Accessories

They are called in-line brakes are are mounted on the top of road bars.....can be added to all modern brakes cables....

They are in-line levers that mount on the flats of drop-bars and are connected with the brifter cabling. They are available on some road bikes although you would looking at mid-to-low range. They are also available as accessories -- go to Nashbar or Performance websites and you will find them under levers, I think.

I think you're talking about interupter levers. They mount on the top of the drops and work by pulling the housing rather than the cable. I have a set on my dirt road Miyata and love 'em.
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BTW, while there are some pricey sets on the market, the ones branded by Nashbar, Preformance, and Cane Creek are all made by Tektro.

I have these on my Cannondale Cyclocross Disc.

They came with the bike when I bought it but it's nice to know in an emergency you can brake from the top of the bar.

They came with the bike when I bought it but it's nice to know in an emergency you can brake from the top of the bar.
And brake from a safe hand position, as compared to the "suicide levers" that were on older road bikes, where grabbing the lever meant that only your thumb was behind the bar...

And brake from a safe hand position, as compared to the "suicide levers" that were on older road bikes, where grabbing the lever meant that only your thumb was behind the bar...

i think they are dangerous to have on the tops but that may just be my my old school thinking....you'd never catch me using 'em :eek:.

ed rader

i think they are dangerous to have on the tops but that may just be my my old school thinking....you'd never catch me using 'em :eek:.

ed rader

Why do you believe this?

My reason for wanting them is that riding the tops in heavy traffic gives me a better view... but the best leverage for using the brakes is on the drops... even braking from the hoods leaves a lot to be desired.

These? http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=69&subcategory=1015&brand=&sku=10888&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat:%20Brake%20Accessories

They are called in-line brakes are are mounted on the top of road bars.....can be added to all modern brakes cables....

Not sure... the pic does not show them mounted... so hard to tell.

Turns out Sheldon has a pic with them on a bike... yeah, that is what I am talking about... thanks. Looks like they can be added to a commuter bike without any problem.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_i-k.html

See "Interrupter Brake Levers"

Newer models give you a brake cable tension adjustment on the handlebars that you don't get with normal brake levers or brifters.

Why do you believe this?

My reason for wanting them is that riding the tops in heavy traffic gives me a better view... but the best leverage for using the brakes is on the drops... even braking from the hoods leaves a lot to be desired.

The particuarly device manufacturer was Jtek. I don't think they are the only ones however. You should get used to braking from the hoods.

The particuarly device manufacturer was Jtek. I don't think they are the only ones however. You should get used to braking from the hoods.

LOL. Been biking for well over 30 years. I am quite used to braking from the hoods.

But my commuter bike has flat bars and thumb shifters... I prefer the upright position when in heavy traffic, but I want to go back to drop bars for that bike... So the compromise is drop bars with "upright" brakes and brifters for fast shifting.

I'll stick to downtube shifters and "braking from the hoods" for my "fun bike."

I think now I understand your concern. Don't sweat it. I'm good, I just want options.

I always found that braking from the hoods was more than adequate for me. The other option is to ride bullhorns and maybe SS or fix your bike.

I guess operator and I are going to argue tonight. (Kool Kovers) I find the secondary levers to be extremely convient, especailly in stop and go traffic or in a "cruiser" ride.

No question, it is easier riding in traffic with brakes on the bars.

I don't think I'd add them to bike that they didn't come with but they're nice to have.

i've never had a problem braking from the hoods with dual pivots. i wouldn't want the clutter on my handlebars or the risk of inadvertantly actuating an extra lever.

these days i only have one bike...a 1x9 with flat bars and a higher bar position so an old guy can more easily navigate city streets.

ed rader

LOL. Been biking for well over 30 years. I am quite used to braking from the hoods.

But my commuter bike has flat bars and thumb shifters... I prefer the upright position when in heavy traffic, but I want to go back to drop bars for that bike... So the compromise is drop bars with "upright" brakes and brifters for fast shifting.

I'll stick to downtube shifters and "braking from the hoods" for my "fun bike."

I think now I understand your concern. Don't sweat it. I'm good, I just want options.

i have just the thing for you...or rather sheldon brown does............ :eek:

http://sheldonbrown.org/thorn/index.html

ed rader

I guess operator and I are going to argue tonight. (Kool Kovers) I find the secondary levers to be extremely convient, especailly in stop and go traffic or in a "cruiser" ride.

Heh :)
I ride bullhorns with TT style levers on fixed so I don't have to worry about any shifting problems. The braking you get from that is better than braking from the hoods. But with gears it's a different problem. You could mount your sti's on bullhorns, it'd just look weird and it'd be difficult to shift.

i have just the thing for you...or rather sheldon brown does............ :eek:

http://sheldonbrown.org/thorn/index.html

ed rader


A good example of - just because you can doesn't mean you should - bike. ;) Although the more I look at it the more I want to build one. Darn you Sheldon and your crazy ideas!

I added a set from Specialized (probably made by the same manufacturer as all the others) and love them. They're rather small, never get in the way but are really nice for unexpected 'whoas' when riding on top the bars amongst motor and pedestrian traffic.

Heh :)
I ride bullhorns with TT style levers on fixed so I don't have to worry about any shifting problems. The braking you get from that is better than braking from the hoods. But with gears it's a different problem. You could mount your sti's on bullhorns, it'd just look weird and it'd be difficult to shift.
One of my regular riding partners uses STIs on bullhorns with no trouble. The setup doesn't look to odd, but you've never seen this particular person.

i have just the thing for you...or rather sheldon brown does............ :eek:

http://sheldonbrown.org/thorn/index.html

ed rader

Yeah I rather like it actually... it looks a lot like my commuter bike... Now all I need are the drops. :D