Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - break lever sizes & breaking power

i just bought the el toro tsunami bullhorn bars from chucks bikes and put it on my singlespeed bike. they look great and feel like they'll manage great too. i was gonna put some mountain bike style levers on them but i came to the revelation that they just don't fit. i tried with a bunch i had laying around. i wanted to put them on the flats cause that's where i usually hold, so i wasn't interested in TT levers. is there any way i can get them to fit? i'm sure i've seen mtb levers on these bullhorns before. or is there another type of lever that i have to buy to get on the flats?


also, as we're on the subject of breaks, i know 70% of breaking power is in the front break. but as i have a singlespeed, and not a fixed, is it still wise to get rid of the back break, since i don't have a back pedal option?

I think you're after cyclo-cross inline levers. And yea, contrary to popular belief here in London, a back brake is wise with a freewheel!

http://www.phattire.com/pacocrle.html

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakes.html#cross

thanks loads. now i'm in the right direction.

dropnroll,

I use just a front brake on my SS. I have the stopping power I need for my around town commutes. Feels just fine. I do think if I were to do a lot of long rides with my SS on some of the bigger mountains around the area I would want both brakes.

yeah, i ask because i once had to emergency react when a car came speeding out from a parking spot at me. it was wet out and because it was so sudden, i didn't want to slam on my front brake and go flipping over the bars, so i slammed on my back, and basically skid a few feet. i ride almost everyday and in heavy traffic, so maybe i should keep it on as insurance.

you may not want to use mtn levers w/ bullhorns. I had them on my CRB, but when I had to stop quickly, I had to move my hands from the drops to the flats. Kind of a pain.

I'm running v's so I had use some Diacompe 287v's w/ a modified cable routing.

you may not want to use mtn levers w/ bullhorns. I had them on my CRB, but when I had to stop quickly, I had to move my hands from the drops to the flats. Kind of a pain.

I'm running v's so I had use some Diacompe 287v's w/ a modified cable routing.


i ride the flats mainly, but i love the bars for the different available hand positions. i primarily would be using the drops for climbing and the such. you used a mountain lever you say? how'd you get it on? is it possible?

http://kim.c64.org/games/screenshots/full/break_dance_(tape_version)_01.gif

Breakin' Yo!

One break on an ss........that doesn't sound to smart. Think about it you no longer have the control over the back wheel like a fixie and it's also good endo protection to have a back break. also oldskoolboarder your crb is beast........ I love it!