Bicycle Mechanics - Cross brake lever install..difficult?

Do they use an additional set of cables to the brakeset or do they install on the same cable used for the drop bar brakes? I just changed to a road bike, my mountain bike only had cross brakes..on my new ride I want both( the brake levers on the drop bars of the Allez i just bought are also used to shift, so they are not going anywhere)...Thanks for any insights, I prefer to buy them and install myself, just wondering how they are usually set up....Thanks !!!

Easy enough to install, just follow the instructions that come with the levers. You use the same cables, just cut the housings.

cross levers are also known as "interupter" levers, because they interrupt the cable housing and when you pull the levers, they widen the gap between the two sections of housing, thus pulling cable. easy enough to install.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=146

Not difficult at all if you've installed brake cable/housing previously. The less bar tape you unwrap, the less you must rewrap. Also, spend the extra bit of time getting the lever angle correct initially.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=146

Not difficult at all if you've installed brake cable/housing previously. The less bar tape you unwrap, the less you must rewrap. Also, spend the extra bit of time getting the lever angle correct initially.

Deser, the pictures are straightforward, but I cant see clearly how pulling on the housing(cable liner) causes the cable to pull the brake...I'll have to take a closer look at the bike...damn they tape everything up on these new rigs...:(

I cant see clearly how pulling on the housing(cable liner) causes the cable to pull the brake(
see what I wrote above:

cross levers are also known as "interupter" levers, because they interrupt the cable housing and when you pull the levers, they widen the gap between the two sections of housing, thus pulling cable.

One thing to watch out for when installing is that if your brake cable has very little length at the end, then you may need a new one as it won't be long enough. On my road bike the brake cable was only just long enough to reach through after I put the cross lever on.

One thing to watch out for when installing is that if your brake cable has very little length at the end, then you may need a new one as it won't be long enough. On my road bike the brake cable was only just long enough to reach through after I put the cross lever on.

I just took a ride and then looked at it closely...I will never enjoy reaching to the levers out front...I am installing the cross levers as the sole braking devices on the bike...works for me as most of my riding is in the city...thanks all!!

I just took a ride and then looked at it closely...I will never enjoy reaching to the levers out front...I am installing the cross levers as the sole braking devices on the bike...works for me as most of my riding is in the city...thanks all!!

While there's nothing wrong with adding cross levers to gain another place where you can comfortably reach the brakes, I'd encourage you to try adjusting the position of the main shifters/levers before giving up on them. Sometimes a small change in the position of the levers (moving them higher or lower in the drops) can make a big difference in terms of comfort. Or it could be that you would have an easier time with a different stem or bars.

Were you fitted at a bike shop when you purchased the bike? If not, it may be helpful to take your bike into a shop, and tell them about the problem you are having reaching the levers. Assuming your bike is close to the right size for you, a competent shop should be able to suggest ways that the bike can be adjusted to better suit your body. A full fitting session at a shop can be expensive, but if it takes your riding position on the bike from tolerable to just right, it can be money well spent.

I just took a ride and then looked at it closely...I will never enjoy reaching to the levers out front...I am installing the cross levers as the sole braking devices on the bike...works for me as most of my riding is in the city...thanks all!!
In your first post, your original plan was to have both sets of brake levers. Stick with that plan; it's a fine setup, especially for commuting.

Besides, you'll still need to reach forward to shift; the brake/shift levers will (probably) be a bit floppy if not connected to the brake calipers; and, to me at least, the drops would lose much of their benefit w/o quick access to the brakes.


One thing to watch out for when installing is that if your brake cable has very little length at the end, then you may need a new one as it won't be long enough.
Right. And unless the housing is relatively new, NABRXX might as well replace it in addition to the cables.

I just took a ride and then looked at it closely...I will never enjoy reaching to the levers out front...I am installing the cross levers as the sole braking devices on the bike...works for me as most of my riding is in the city...thanks all!!

All my riding is in the city and I find the STI levers very comfortable and nice when the wind picks up. Don't give up on them too soon.

All my riding is in the city and I find the STI levers very comfortable and nice when the wind picks up. Don't give up on them too soon.

+1