Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - lets try this again- new brake lever

so yesterday i started a new thread asking for advice on a new brake lever, and i pretty much got nothing except for some guy telling be i should keep the hoods on my bars for bullhorn position. but since i never use bullhorns thyre useless to me. im looking for a new lever, something low profile and can hardly be seen. in my last post i mentioned the paul e-lever and was told it was to expensive, which understand. ive since done some researh and found these two

http://www.vitalbmx.com/product/guide/Brake-Levers,42/Dia-Tech/Goldfinger-Tech99-DS,521

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://distro.1664bmx.com/comersus/store/catalog/37-DDHR.jpg&imgrefurl=http://distro.1664bmx.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp%3FidProduct%3D280%26idParent%3D54&usg=__oNbgMzMr_h4tRlJbrTzkmk2CyVg=&h=377&w=564&sz=102&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=tCW5-H9BOj1JoM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddirty%2Bharry%2Bbrake%2Blever%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1



so which one, if either would be better, since i cant find any stores in my area that carry them i can see them in person. or can someone suggest me something better? and i understand that these are bmx levers

I'd spend the money on the Paul. It's advertised on their site for $52, but you can probably find it cheaper. This one is so clean and designed for the fixed rider.

Those second ones look pretty good, and like you'd be able to get two fingers on them. I don't think one finger is enough.

What's wrong with traditional cross-levers like the Tektro RL726? Too small, clean-looking, inexpensive and easy to use for you?

What's wrong with traditional cross-levers like the Tektro RL726? Too small, clean-looking, inexpensive and easy to use for you?

and its reasons like this why i had to start a new thread. ******

If you do not use your hoods you are riding you bike wrong.

If you do not use your hoods you are riding you bike wrong.

is that so. what youre saying here is there is only one way to ride a bike and the rest of the drop bar is useless, then what is the rest for? looks?

is that so. what youre saying here is there is only one way to ride a bike and the rest of the drop bar is useless, then what is the rest for? looks?

no I am not saying it is useless. I am saying the hoods are very useful. Maybe you could tell how much every one loves hoods from the last thread.

no I am not saying it is useless. I am saying the hoods are very useful. Maybe you could tell how much every one loves hoods from the last thread.

this...

If your bike fits you correctly, your default position should be on the hoods. Perhaps you should look at your fit instead of trying to morph your bike into something that still won't be right.

and its reasons like this why i had to start a new thread. ******

You're overreacting, and he's pretty much right. I had a diatech lever for a while, and both of those levers are bulky as **** compared to the tektro that scrodzilla is talking about.

Go With a Odyssey, there cheap and work well.

I have no information to share on either of these levers

Also check out Pyramid Cross Brake Levers, very low/clean profile. I have these on two bikes and have worked really well. The price is right too

Also check out Pyramid Cross Brake Levers, very low/clean profile. I have these on two bikes and have worked really well. The price is right too

thanks for the help macgee, i was looking at the odyssey's too

this...

If your bike fits you correctly, your default position should be on the hoods. Perhaps you should look at your fit instead of trying to morph your bike into something that still won't be right.

ok, so with this bike
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bKCJvt8Bd9s/Ri7pACJ9reI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Tb8cvzqUOSA/s320/fixed%2Bgear%2Bbike.jpg
youre saying that it wont fit anyone because it doesnt have hoods?

I have no information to share on either of these levers

HAHhahahaha, best post ever

ok, so with this bike
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bKCJvt8Bd9s/Ri7pACJ9reI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Tb8cvzqUOSA/s320/fixed%2Bgear%2Bbike.jpg
youre saying that it wont fit anyone because it doesnt have hoods?

Exactly.

Not really. He is saying that when using drops, the hoods are a good position where you can ride in a pretty aero position while not having to sprint. Drops are more for sprinting and the tops are for relaxing. The hoods are the in between where most people are most comfortable when going at a comfortable pace. So when being fitted for a bike it's best to use the hoods to measure what size frame/stem you need. If you don't have hoods you only have sprinting position and relaxing position.

and its reasons like this why i had to start a new thread. ******

Seriously?

First of all, you've started not one but two threads asking us to help you choose a lever. Without as much as filling us in to details such as what clamp size you're looking for, you state that your sole requirement that it's discreet - "something low profile and can hardly be seen" - yet you attach links to clunky, often overpriced BMX levers (that most likely will have clamps which won't fit your bars). Sorry that you've got sand in your knickers because some guys told you to keep your hoods, you don't know how to ride your bike, etc. but you went straight ahead and missed the point of my post. Regardless of whether you have drops, horns, risers or moustache bars, the answer to your burning dilemma is right under your damn nose in the form of cross levers. They're light, compact, have hinged clamps that come in multiple sizes and every bike shop I've ever been into in my life sells them.

Sorry I tried to help. Go ahead and post new threads on this subject every time someone says something you don't like and good luck finding a lever, fool.

I have the Dirt harry lever, I like it, but I had to shim it to fit on my riser bars. It is NOT discreet, but very functional. I HAD a cross lever but it did not work as well as the bmx lever. The reason being that the cross lever pushes the cable housing, while the bmx lever pulls the cable.

Seriously?

First of all, you've started not one but two threads asking us to help you choose a lever. Without as much as filling us in to details such as what clamp size you're looking for, you state that your sole requirement that it's discreet - "something low profile and can hardly be seen" - yet you attach links to clunky, often overpriced BMX levers (that most likely will have clamps which won't fit your bars). Sorry that you've got sand in your knickers because some guys told you to keep your hoods, you don't know how to ride your bike, etc. but you went straight ahead and missed the point of my post. Regardless of whether you have drops, horns, risers or moustache bars, the answer to your burning dilemma is right under your damn nose in the form of cross levers. They're light, compact, have hinged clamps that come in multiple sizes and every bike shop I've ever been into in my life sells them.

Sorry I tried to help. Go ahead and post new threads on this subject every time someone says something you don't like and good luck finding a lever, fool.


OP, he got you good.

who else thinks op is 13-15 yr old know it all?

OP, he got you good.

Wasn't really trying to "get anyone good"...just telling it like it is.

"I want a really tiny lever. Here...check out these rather clunky BMX levers and tell me which one to buy" doesn't make much sense.

Besides, I wasn't trying to be a dick earlier when i asked what was wrong with cross levers. He just read it that way.

shimming brake levers sucks btw.

shimming brake levers sucks btw.

Agreed! I had to try about ten different method before I found one I was okay with because the part of alloy my risers where I've got my lever is slightly tapered. Ugh...

What's wrong with traditional cross-levers like the Tektro RL726? Too small, clean-looking, inexpensive and easy to use for you?

I have these, does the job

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1569

who else thinks op is 13-15 yr old know it all?

with a comment like that i expect that you are, since kids are the only ones that make comments like that. by the way im a 21 year old grad student. *****

with a comment like that i expect that you are, since kids are the only ones that make comments like that. by the way im a 21 year old grad student. *****

I was going to say something, then I realized how dumb arguing on the internet is.

You are talking about Dia-Compe's "GOLD FINGER" or "Dirty Harry" right? We haven't talked about it. So let's get into it.

I am pretty sure you won't like "GOLD FINGERs". It is real bulky. When you slap it on a drop, it looks as large as your stem clamps. When put it on a riser, your bar would look funny and balance funny. They clamp like death-grip though. ... But then on off-road you really need more than one finger to stop anyway. A bit silly.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/Tomo_Ishi/KC280144-1.jpg

I would go for Dirty Harry, because it would fit a track drop fine. But it is kinda ugly and too ridiculously overkill for anything I do.

You will see that an assist lever can be quite nice. It's OEM model.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/Tomo_Ishi/KC280274.jpg

Agreed! I had to try about ten different method before I found one I was okay with because the part of alloy my risers where I've got my lever is slightly tapered. Ugh...

Its even worse when the lever doesn't have a hindged clamp so shimming on the bend is almost impossible. Stupid Paul lever.

You will see that an assist lever can be quite nice. It's OEM model.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/Tomo_Ishi/KC280274.jpg

wait, what lever is that?

You will see that an assist lever can be quite nice. It's OEM model.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/Tomo_Ishi/KC280274.jpg

I like this lever.

OP, the Goldfinger is bulky, but it's a good lever, solid with a nice looking lever and good pull. And many bmx brake levers are not overpriced/expensive in the least. You can get them as singles too, which is an advantage over having to buy a pair of cross-top levers. I've never seen a Goldfinger sell for more than $21, and usually it's more like $14-$16.

I think it's a stock lever came off of a ready-built bike like Bianchi. I begged LBS staff for this pair. I have never seen it sold through proper consumer accessible channels. Beats a goldfinger by miles.

What's wrong with traditional cross-levers like the Tektro RL726? Too small, clean-looking, inexpensive and easy to use for you?


If you do not use your hoods you are riding you bike wrong.

I know this is in late, but this _is_ why he wanted to start a new thread. These comments, whether you meant it or not, could easily be read as smart alec remarks.

There could be a chance he's not familiar with the Tektro, or he could have seen those other levers as small enough. From the pictures provided, they looked small enough to me. Also, it's his own discretion. If you don't understand his terms of "small" or "discreet" ask about it rather than bashing him. He also asked for suggestions on a new lever, which you provided, but you didn't need to add that he only wanted you to pick between those two. That was wrong.

He doesn't want to use his hoods, and he's not obligated to. A mid position can be reached without them, though not as efficienty, but that's really his business. (Oh, and I don't use my either, so I know what you're talking about OP.)

Either help him or just leave the thread since you can't or don't want to. There's no need for this other crap. The only reason I'm posting this is to clear the fact that the OP wasn't being ridiculous--he's just asking for some lever suggestions.

These are pretty low profile I guess. They're sort of singlespeed-directed and come in a bunch of colors.
https://secure.actionbicycle.com/sagro/storefront/store.php?mode=showproductdetail&product=23517

Oh crap, I got side tracked.

Risers right? Crap

These comments, whether you meant it or not, could easily be read as smart alec remarks.

Welcome to SS/FG.

Umm ... I got some reference picture for Tektro and Goldfinger side-by-side for you.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b357/Tomo_Ishi/KC280276.jpg

I think it's too large. ... But then crosslevers aren't so small either. The top one is a Salsa Crosslever. (One of few options you got for 31.8mm). ... These pictures come from my record and my interests turn toward drops; not to risers and straights. Please give me some slack too, OK?

wow those gold finger clamps are HUGE.

anyway. I know you are debating between those two levers. And a bunch of ppl are suggesting tektros coz they are cheap. That's what I run as well. I think it looks pretty nice with my nitto drops. Tho the clamp was too big to fit my bars so I had to put a piece of bar tape underneath to make it work. Basically looks like this. Just so you see more options.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/ichitz/photo.jpg

OP, since you think all the practical useful brake levers are not discreet enough, do it this way. This is how all the cool kids are doing it:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1027/989944876_e0071d21a7_o.jpg


:lol:

(I was kidding. I hope you didn't take me seriously)

the salsa lever is amazing.

I know this is in late, but this _is_ why he wanted to start a new thread. These comments, whether you meant it or not, could easily be read as smart alec remarks.



This is the second thread this guy has started. People tried to help him out, and all he did was sh it on their advice. All he had to do was explain his position instead of making remarks like this

"and its reasons like this why i had to start a new thread. ******"

He basically said in the other thread that he knows hoods are useful but he wants his bike to look cool so he needs something low profile. Also the fact that this guy can not throw together a proper sentence really bothered me to. BTW welcome to the internet I hope you enjoy your stay.

A lever is a lever, I don't get it. I like the small Odyssey Monolever.

I have one of these on my sweet fixie:
http://www.velo-orange.com/cibibrle.html

It is absolutely gigantic and I can barely put my hands on the drops without getting poked by the brake lever mounted on the flat next to the stem on the opposite side.

It looks sooooo cool.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7302/picture784.jpghttp://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5228/picture785.jpg

This is what I use. It is just some generic mountain bike lever I got from my lbs. They just gave me it for free. Hard to argue with free. Also those are my legs. I have had them for awhile they seem alright.