Classic & Vintage - Reverse Brake Levers For Veloce Brakes

Out fitting a PX-10 frame with Campy Veloce brakes - Gotta use bull horn handle bars (long story but mostly because of arthritis) - So being that this PX-10 is mostly campy Veloce except the down tube shifters (Novo Record) - What reverse brakes will go with the set...

This is not a vintage rebuild but rather making good use of quality components including the 1976 PX-10 frame...

And please don't bust my chops on using bullhorn handlebars - They are something I have reluctantly given into (those guys who have had to make adjustments in their riding because of a bad back, carpel tunnel, and osteoarthritis will understand)...

If your wheels are true, you should have no problem setting the Veloce calipers close enough to stop just fine.
Most of the TT-type brake levers have enough pull range to do the job; you may have to keep them up close to the rim (hence the need for true wheels).

The only issue I see is the lack of QR, since Campy's use the Ergo lever for their QR. My recommendation is to turn the barrel adjuster into your QR: run it out a bit and use the locknut, so you can run it in to free up the wheel for removal.

Anyone else?

And please don't bust my chops on using bullhorn handlebars - They are something I have reluctantly given into (those guys who have had to make adjustments in their riding because of a bad back, carpel tunnel, and osteoarthritis will understand)...

Tell me about what you're doing...

I'm not comfortable in drops- I'm worried about my back. I'm always riding in the position just behind the hoods- I've been playing with the idea of working a different brake setup than what I've got going on with the stock stuff on my bike. I "grew up" on a mountain bike with mountain bike brakes- and you get LEVERAGE on those handles. On my bikes with drops... not the same kind of leverage. I'd like to get levers that give me serious stopping power, I'd like to be able to be in drops if I'm riding against the wind- I don't think I'm in that odd of a situation- but I don't see the solutions I'm looking for.

The only issue I see is the lack of QR, since Campy's use the Ergo lever for their QR. My recommendation is to turn the barrel adjuster into your QR: run it out a bit and use the locknut, so you can run it in to free up the wheel for removal.



OH great thanks for pointing that out! I just ordered some reverse levers intending to use them on Moustache bars with Campi Monoplanors (likely the same style as OP) now I have to start looking for some Cobaltos or maybe Triomphe

Tell me about what you're doing...

I'm not comfortable in drops- I'm worried about my back. I'm always riding in the position just behind the hoods- I've been playing with the idea of working a different brake setup than what I've got going on with the stock stuff on my bike. I "grew up" on a mountain bike with mountain bike brakes- and you get LEVERAGE on those handles. On my bikes with drops... not the same kind of leverage. I'd like to get levers that give me serious stopping power, I'd like to be able to be in drops if I'm riding against the wind- I don't think I'm in that odd of a situation- but I don't see the solutions I'm looking for.


you want those 'Cross levers that go between the regular levers and the stem. someone will post a pic of them soon. have you tried taller stems? everyone here always hassles me about my ugly stems. on most of my bikes the bars and seat are almost even

OH great thanks for pointing that out! I just ordered some reverse levers intending to use them on Moustache bars with Campi Monoplanors (likely the same style as OP) now I have to start looking for some Cobaltos or maybe Triomphe

what size tires are you using? the barrel adjuster has plenty of range to remove a 700x25 tire.


it is spelled campy monolanar btw. (campy with a "y" is trademarked, campi is not.)

what size tires are you using? the barrel adjuster has plenty of range to remove a 700x25 tire.


it is spelled campy monolanar btw. (campy with a "y" is trademarked, campi is not.)

OH how long have aI been misspelling it? perhaps I should turn in my C-Record dustcap tool? LOL

I have not decided on the tires yet, or the frame, I was thinking of the Soma Mixte with maybe x28s

28s may work. the barrel has a lot of threads on it. i would give it a shot before you look for new brakes.

you want those 'Cross levers that go between the regular levers and the stem. someone will post a pic of them soon. have you tried taller stems? everyone here always hassles me about my ugly stems. on most of my bikes the bars and seat are almost even


This is the bike as I got it- I have not adjusted the stem or the bars. I've just padded and retaped the bars.

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/708/400t013.jpg



I think my idea is to be able to ride in the area between the "flats" and where the hoods are- and be able to shift and brake from there. So if I can mount the cross levers in a position that allows me to brake from my palms facing inward- I guess that's sort of what I'm looking for.

I think once more conducive riding weather rolls around again, and hopefully my budget will be a little bigger than what it has been- I can play around with ideas with something like the Kelly's or the Paul's in conjunction with cross levers as the primary braking "solution."

BTW- the bike is an 84 Trek 420:

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5959/400t002.jpg

Tell me about what you're doing...

I currently use Tektro reverse levers on a set of bull horns (purchased not made from drops cause those are to short) and have plenty of stopping power on my 1980s FUJI - I did not have to make anything more than regular adjustments to get the set working and am satisfied - Settling on the bull horns them selves was another matter as I was very reluctant to give up my drops - Eventually I realized I was never dropped on my drops (also I don't really use the big ring on my crank which leaves my front dérailleur more like an ornament) - If you have not tried bullhorns before and don't like drops then do give them a try along with adjusting your stem hight...