dual brake handles

[Rick]

I have seen cyclocross bicycles with both the road and cyclocross levers on one handlebar that control the same set of brakes.
I would like to setup two bicycles that I am building for me and my son in this mannor. I need to know what hardware is nessicary and were to purchase it. The bicycle frames that I am purchasing can use either disc or cantilever type brakes. I am considering the avid mechanical disc and am concerned about how long the brake pads last.

[MrCjolsen]

Basically just the levers. If you ever want to remove then, you'll probably need to buy a set of cable housings. The tricky part of setting them up is getting the cable length just right.

BTW, I have them. I don't use them a lot, but when I do they're really nice to have. They do not adversely affect braking. They also give you another place to adjust your cables.

[schnee]

Avid mechanical disks are bomb-proof. I had Avid BB7's on my last mountain bike, and as a 250-lb galoot who did a lot of fast XC, the pads were only moderatly worn after a full year, and the disc rotors were barely worn. They should last you a long time.