joel52

Hi All: First post with actual content, hoping someone can help.

I'm plotting out a hybrid drop bar conversion project and would like to include a cross/interrupter lever with my current linear pull mechanical disc brakes. I've seen this discussed on many other threads but it looks like the Tektro/Cane Creek levers designed for this purpose are no longer in production.

I think I read in a several year old thread (can't find it at the moment) that the Tektro canti cross levers pull more than needed for canti's and so will work for linear pull, but was wondering if anyone knows if that is true of currently available models. Or are any other cross levers others known to pull enough for linear pull (e.g. the Salsas, or Somas). I did see the Pauls, sweet looking, but ouch ($$).

Thanks for any leads.

Germanicus

The Paul Cross lever can be used with either short or long pull brakes depending on the position of an adjustable pivot. They are 6061 Aluminum and quite pricey at $120 for the pair. (140 grams.)
https://www.paulcomp.com/crosslever.html

TRP RL-950s are designed for cyclocross, though not sure if they might require a cyclocross-specific brake with shorter arms. You might want to call them to double check. (TRP Toll Free 877.807.4162) At $70 they are still a little pricey but are made from featherweight Carbon fiber. (78 grams)
https://www.trpbrakes.com/category.ph...d=185&subcat=0


A different solution you may or may not want to consider is to replace your standard linear pull brakes with Mini-V brakes which work the same but have a mechanical advantage suited to standard road levers. Tektro and TRP also make them. TRP has SRAM and Shimano specific brakes. It might be worth considering since it will open up a much wider range of lever options.
TRP CX-9 (Shimano) https://www.trpbrakes.com/category.ph...d=185&subcat=0
TRP CX-8.4 (SRAM) https://www.trpbrakes.com/category.ph...d=185&subcat=0

joel52

Thanks for the response. The pdf product lit for the RL-950s say they aren't compatible with linear pull systems. I definitely don't want to spend that much AND end up with something what won't give me full stopping power.

The discs I currently have are basically new and are working for me so it'll be hard to justify new brakes too, since that'd more than double the cost of the project. The whole interrupter lever idea was kind of an afterthought so I may just pass on it. Alternately I see Paul does sell single levers I might opt for that. I'm still tracking down other components so I have some time to think about it.

Any other ideas about what would work as an interrupter lever with my current system would be appreciated.

plodderslusk

With cantis on my CX I used my interrupter leavers a lot . Intalled old XTR V-brakes (with new levers) and took off the IL's. Do not miss them at all, the XTR brakes are so much better and I can also now easily brake from the hoods.

fietsbob

Paul's let you shift the pivot pin to change their cable pull..
I got a pair I never got around to using to shed, FS..

all the others you use regular pull levers for all 4 ,
Brifters and Cross levers ..
and just put a 'travel agent' on the brake itself.

QBP makes an inline version for Disc mechanical brakes

to anchor them down, fit on the vacant rim brake boss.
https://www.bikeman.com/BR0330.html

Jacque Lucque

Tektro RL-520's are compatible with linear pull brakes. I have just purchased my self at a very reasonable £17! They are available in many places in the uk but Chainreaction Cycles definitely do international postage: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=34840

joel52

Thanks plodderslusk. If i go through with it, this will be my first set of drop bars. Thought if I could cheaply/easily add levers up to do I would do so, but yes, probably not essential.

fietsbob, I don't see the QBPs, though that catalog is nearly 2000 pages. Do you have a model number or link you could provide? I'll message you about the Pauls.

joel52

Hi Jacque: Thanks, I do have those 520s noted for aero levers on this project. I was specifically asking about extra sets of inline, bar top levers to allow me pull the brakes from bar top/MTB position as well. For whatever reason (to sell more new complete brake systems?) Tektro seems to have dropped that type of lever for linear pull systems from production, leaving maybe just the costly Pauls as an option (short of travel agents, new calipers, different bars, etc).

Joel

fietsbob

Edit to #5 above to show what the inline travel agents are ..

Germanicus

But if he uses the travel agents to accommodate the cross levers, won't that mess up the pull ratio for the STI brake levers? Which I believe are already long pull?

He will either have to have normal STI and cross levers AND a travel agent, or else a set of long-pull STI and cross levers with no travel agent.
Personally, between the two options I would keep it simple and don't bother with a travel agent.

joel52

Correct. I was hoping to find a cheap long pull interrupter lever to pair with a to-be-acquired long pull drop lever. The downside to keeping it simple is that the only option I then see for cross levers are the Pauls, which are a lot of money for what are to be functionally secondary equipment. I would rather not mess with a travel agent since that's one more complication (and cost). And I could put would I'd spend on travel agents plus the premium on the Paul long-pull levers, into avid BB5/7 road discs, then get by with any of the lower cost short pull cross levers.

Incidentally, I had my first ride with the my tektra novella discs out in the rain the evening and they kind of sucked. Stopped okay but screeching loud. This, plus the range of crappy reviews on the novellas has me reevaluating an upgrade on the brakes, which would at least solve the cross lever problem.

If anyone else passing through knows of any long-pull interrupter cross levers other than the Pauls, please let me know. Otherwise it may just head for the avid road discs. Thanks all for the help thus far.

fietsbob

Nope, though converting the whole thing with a road Type mechanical caliper
on the disc, which responds to brifters, is more straight forward..

the travel agent is just if the MTB/V brake travel caliper is to be retained

Trunk Monkey

Lots of Pauls options on eBay for about $65-75 shipped last time I checked. It is a common item so if you are patient you might be able to do even better.