BMX - Question on BMX brake leverage

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JonathanGennick
05-22-11, 06:04 AM
Will the handle from an old fitness bike having canti-brakes work well on a modern BMX bike? I know that levers for canti- and v-brakes pull the cable using different leverage ratios. What about BMX brakes? Will those canti-brake levers work? Or do I need to get BMX-specific levers?

Greyryder
05-22-11, 10:31 PM
You mean the U brakes on freestyle bikes? Those will work with standard short pull levers, like you're talking about.

Pet peeve of mine; there's more to BMX than just freestyle. BMX race bikes have been using V brakes since the 90s.
midschool22
05-22-11, 11:09 PM
Will the handle from an old fitness bike having canti-brakes work well on a modern BMX bike? I know that levers for canti- and v-brakes pull the cable using different leverage ratios. What about BMX brakes? Will those canti-brake levers work? Or do I need to get BMX-specific levers?

Can you post a pic of the lever?

JonathanGennick
05-23-11, 05:05 AM
@Greyryder, thanks. And apologies for my lack of BMX bike knowledge. I am working to improve that.

I ended up giving the kid the old, canti-lever that I had. I also ran him some fresh brake cable--inner and outer. Can't say that I liked the feel of the lever, but the kid was able to skid the rear tire and he was real happy about being able to do that.

@Midschool22, I will try and post up later w/a photo.
JonathanGennick
05-23-11, 05:25 AM
Ok. I went to Danscomp.com and looked at their brakes. What I worked on yesterday was not a u-brake. It was a caliper brake.
fuji86
05-24-11, 04:18 AM
I have this one, LBS suggested it, my expectations were to throw on a low end Tektro for cheap, after getting this one, I actually am happier with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Ops-Caliper-U-Brake-Levers/dp/B003LRD1FU/ref=pd_sbs_sg_3

Also available:

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Ops-MX-Hinged-Levers/dp/B000AOXF62
http://www.amazon.com/Tektro-319AC-Short-Pull-Brake/dp/B001GSMJF4/ref=pd_sbs_sg_2