Cyclocross - Brake questions

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adamt
09-19-08, 04:39 PM
How many of you swap your front and rear brake controls?

Would you say the cross brake levers are a must?

Im building up my new bike and would rather just do it right from the start...

Lithuania
09-19-08, 04:51 PM
my brake levers are the same as my road bike and cross levers are definitely not a must.
flargle
09-19-08, 04:55 PM
IMO the "moto" setup is totally unnecessary. You can still scrub speed with the front brake when you are approaching barriers or what. If some of your bikes are moto, and some not, it will mess with your head.

Bartop levers? Oi, now we are getting into matters even more theological. I am a bartopian. I find that it makes certain maneuvers more convenient, for example dismounting from the tops, also steep descents you can get your arse farther back and still control your brakes. IMO it's a worthwhile $30 and 90g. Vervecken rode them in the past but doesn't now AFAIK:
http://www.cyclocrossvideos.com/cx/misc/2001_Gloucester_technique_Vervecken_Johnson_slowmo.html

If you want it broken out for you mathematically:
http://untilthesnowends.blogspot.com/2007/10/top-mount-equation.html

rcummings1
09-19-08, 07:32 PM
All my bikes are moto. I ride motorcycles and THAT's when it messes with my head. High speeds on a motorcycle are NOT when I want to be messed with. I found for some reason I just couldn't get my head around it. I just want it to be a reflex. As for the cross levers I like them. Easy and convenient, also great for just tooling around with my kids.
Milice
09-19-08, 09:22 PM
Cross levers on my commuter, not on my race bike.
Hunt-man
09-21-08, 03:52 PM
I wouldn't be happy without cross levers. I like being a bit more upright anyway and I'm more comfortable on top of the bars when I'm bombing down nasty stuff....
Aeroplane
09-22-08, 10:25 AM
I moto'd my brakes, and all my other bikes are standard. It doesn't really bother me.
mikey71469
09-26-08, 01:55 PM
no moto, no cross levers here. it's all subjective.
ryand
09-26-08, 02:08 PM
i tried my first season with cross levers. only used them while i was riding and drinking coffee at the same time. don't find much use for them otherwise, so i don't use them.

if its your first season, put them on. if you don't use them, take them off after the season and sell them or use them elsewhere. they aren't going to hurt you performance wise.