Mondo734

I am considering purchasing a 2012 specialized tricross. The model is the apex elite disc model. The question I have is whether or not I would be able to remove the chicken levers (the secondary brake levers) from the handlebar.
Also I'd like to know what you all think in regards to paying a few hundred more for the 2012 specialized crux apex disc model bike. Thanks

Airburst

You'd be able to take the levers off, but you'd have to re-cable the brakes to do it, unless they've changed the levers since the 2010 model.

Bianchigirll 

I am sure the dealer will be able to remove them when they assemble the bike. I have not tried these new style of levers but it looks to me like they take up too much room on the bars.

dsbrantjr

The interrupter levers should not have any negative effect on your braking and can be very useful if you need to stop quickly while you are on the bar tops. I have them and like them. I'd suggest that you try them and see. If you don't like them as noted above they can be removed but new cable housings will need to be fitted. This is not major surgery.

Fissile

^This^

I don't know what you have against interrupter levers? I've added interrupters to all my road bikes. Yes, it's not too difficult to remove them. All that's required is some new brake cable and some know-how.

If you decide that you want to remove the interrupters, I'll give you $10 for them.

Mondo734

Thanks for the replies. I test rode the bike and I found that I didn't really use the interupter levers and think I would like to have the space freed up on the handlebar for a light and other accessories. This brings me to my next question. Are these interupter levers just regular brake levers? could they be used as replacement brake levers on an mtb used for commuting?

xenologer

Interrupter levers can be used standalone, commonly seen in this mode on singlespeed bikes with bullhorn bars.
However they clamp 23.8 (24mm) bars, while your old mtb will use 22.2mm bars. So this is not the most effecient reuse of them as you will need to make shims to do it....

Mondo734

Hmm...Would have never thought that bar diameter would be a problem thanks for pointing that out.

Chris_W

Not only clamp diameter, but also cable pull ratio is different on the interruptor levers than on regular MTB levers. The MTB levers pull more cable because they are designed for V-brakes/linear pull brakes. Almost all interruptor levers use a shorter cable pull, only compatible with road brakes and cantilevers.

Personally, I would leave the interruptor levers on, they are extremely useful. The only bike I don't have them on is my all-out lightweight (15 lb / 7 kg) road rig, every other bike gets interruptor levers and they get used a lot. Since the TriCross is not a particularly lightweight machine already, then I would not be concerned about the 100 grams that the extra levers add. I mostly use the interruptor levers when riding in traffic, where it is helpful to have a higher riding position, which means on the hoods or on the tops of the bars. Braking from the hoods is not very powerful, so riding on the bar-tops and braking with the interruptor levers is a far safer technique than riding on the hoods. When doing high-speed descents, I tend to have my hands in the drops, keeping my body weight low and stable, and use the main brake levers from their most powerful position. I generally only brake from the hoods when just crusining around and lightly modulating the speed when necessary, but I don't rely on that type of braking when any real braking or control is required (e.g., in traffic or high-speed descents).

fietsbob

not really a good idea, though .. better to use a lever made to be on the end of the cable.

they, being designed to be in the center of the cable are less suitable..

Mondo734

Ok so I guess from what everyone is saying that the interuptor levers are not useful as mtb v-brake levers. Since the general consensus is that I should leave these on the tricross (should I actually buy it) I would like to know if any of you who have them have space issues when trying to use other accessories. Currently I have a cyclocomputer that I would like to use on it and it only has a handlebar mount. I would also like to have room for lights and maybe some other accessories. Let me know what your experiences are with having interuptor levers and accessories, pictures would be a +.

fietsbob

How many gadgets do you feel a need for? Now , Computers like Bontrager/Trek,sells,
are made to fit via zip-ties onto the top of the stem.

and there are things like the alternate Threadless stem cap Paul's comp
which offers a higher centered place to mount the handlebar brackets.

Myself I use dynamo powered lights and the headlamp
is down where the fork crown is..

additionally, 'chronometro' knob is a moulded plastic clamp on thing
to put computers to the side of aero bars, and work on stem sides too.

Mondo734

I currently have specialized elite comp cyclocomputer but it only mounts to the handlebar it i tried to mount it to the stem it would be sideways. I would like to have a light and other than that I dont know but Im sure there is something else I may want in the future that would need space.

fietsbob

threadless stems can be stacked, and the second stem carrying a straight tube.
A whole batch of handle bar mounted devises can go there.

I use a setup like that to mount my handle bar bag bracket, under trekking bars..

himespau 

Why do you say that? I've never had problems with modulation or power from the hoods.

himespau 

I use one of these for my stuff that won't fit on the bar because of my interrupter levers (actually I have 31.8 mm clamp area and I find that clamp area takes up more room and keeps me from putting more stuff on the bars than the interrupter levers do).