Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Brake Levers and my Crossbar

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Alexskichambe
10-18-10, 08:08 PM
I have an older peugeot from the 70s I've made into a fixed gear, I want to install an e-brake with a cross-top lever.

Will a mountain bike lever made for v-brakes work? Those seem to be the only levers that fit my 22.2mm french handlebars from the time.

Scrodzilla
10-18-10, 08:11 PM
You could always use a standard cross lever with a shim.
FastJake
10-18-10, 08:12 PM
Don't get a lever for V-brakes. You won't have enough mechanical advantage with your caliper brake. You'll pull really hard on the lever and not get enough "power."

Any lever made for cantis or caliper brakes should work, provided it has the correct clamp diameter. There should be lots of options out there.

Alexskichambe
10-18-10, 08:12 PM
Yah but that would be *effort* and about a 4mm difference.
Squirrelli
10-18-10, 08:13 PM
BMX brake levers are also 22.2mm.
Alexskichambe
10-18-10, 08:13 PM
provided it has the correct clamp diameter.

That's my point, I cannot find a 22.2mm lever for caliper brakes.


Do they make BMX levers for caliper brakes?
Alexskichambe
10-18-10, 08:16 PM
Heh nevermind looking at BMX levers I guess they do. Thanks
FastJake
10-18-10, 08:17 PM
I'm not sure if you're looking for something new, but most mountain bikes made up through the 1990s had cantilever brakes. Almost all upright handlebar bikes have 22.2mm bars, so a lever from any old mountain bike should work.

Edit: oops, looks like you found your solution.
Scrodzilla
10-18-10, 08:18 PM
Yah but that would be *effort* and about a 4mm difference.

Lazy. It would require about as much "effort" as walking into your LBS and asking for a shim that comes with reflectors. I throw them away by the handful at the shop where I work. Get a BMX lever.
Alexskichambe
10-18-10, 08:23 PM
I was told by my shop they didn't sell shims and that I would have to make one myself. Anyways thanks for the help I just need to find an older mtb lever
Scrodzilla
10-18-10, 08:27 PM
Your shop sucks.
jtgotsjets
10-19-10, 02:36 AM
Your shop sucks.

+1
Alexskichambe
10-19-10, 06:49 PM
Bumping this because now that I have a proper lever the nipple on the end of my brake cable doesn't fit the lever

*rage*

I guess I will be forced to go to a bike shop
FastJake
10-19-10, 07:23 PM
Yeah, you just need a new cable. No big deal.
Scrodzilla
10-19-10, 07:24 PM
Your shop probably doesn't have cables either.