Question about brake levers
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Question about brake levers
Right now I'm using a Dia Compe Gran Compe Shot lever. While there's nothing wrong with the lever, I've decided I don't actually need the dual lever design. It also makes its harder to mount a light on the bars. I do like the length of the short lever, and am wondering what other traditional lever would be most comperable. The Dia Compe Goldfinger seems to be a tad shorter, and the Dirty Harry seems to have a much more extreme curve to it. Anyone have any suggestions?
#2
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
Right now I'm using a Dia Compe Gran Compe Shot lever. While there's nothing wrong with the lever, I've decided I don't actually need the dual lever design. It also makes its harder to mount a light on the bars. I do like the length of the short lever, and am wondering what other traditional lever would be most comperable. The Dia Compe Goldfinger seems to be a tad shorter, and the Dirty Harry seems to have a much more extreme curve to it. Anyone have any suggestions?
https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...h=188_482_1208
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Dude. You start soooo many threads. In the last 2 months you've started over 50 threads.
https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...h=188_482_1208
https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...h=188_482_1208
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,196
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Dude. You start soooo many threads. In the last 2 months you've started over 50 threads (55 to be exact).
https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...h=188_482_1208
https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...h=188_482_1208
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,196
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I guess I'm confused as to why this is a problem. Would you prefer I ask a question about brake levers on my thread about centering my wheel? I thought this was a community where people could ask questions if they had them. Didn't realize I'd be criticized for being active on the forum. Guess I'll start going elsewhere for help.
I'm sure Carleton can chime in with how many posts a typical user starts. I think in my time on BFSSFG, I've started maybe 5 tops?
#6
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I guess I'm confused as to why this is a problem. Would you prefer I ask a question about brake levers on my thread about centering my wheel? I thought this was a community where people could ask questions if they had them. Didn't realize I'd be criticized for being active on the forum. Guess I'll start going elsewhere for help.
It's just an observation.
#7
Goes to 11.
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Wichita, KS, USA
Posts: 2,547
Bikes: 2015 Soma Double Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What's wrong with using one of the many BMX levers out there? Also, what bars?
#8
Your cog is slipping.
The Goldfinger is a tiny, one finger-type lever and is cool for emergency situations but not for full on stopping all the time.
You could always just use a cross lever if you don't like the look of BMX levers.
You could always just use a cross lever if you don't like the look of BMX levers.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What the difference between a cross lever and a bmx lever? I assume cross levers were made for cyclocross and obviously bmx levers for bmx/freestyle, but I'm wondering if there's an actual difference in how the levers work.
#11
Your cog is slipping.
In short, cross levers (when used on their own) push the housing while BMX levers pull the cable, which results in exactly six of one/half-dozen of the other.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
By traditional lever I mean a single lever design, not the dual lever design of the gran compe shot. I like that lever in theory, but in practice I don't like the hand position it forces me to use when braking. I don't like having my hands slammed that close to the stem. I'd rather place a lever a little closer to the bend of the bullhorns, so I can grip the bars right around where my fyxation pursuit bars start to drop and reach the brake.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm leaning towards the dirty harry lever right now. I think the extreme bend may let me place the lever a little further away from my stem without hitting where the bars curve forward. Kind of how it is in the following picture.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: central Ohio
Posts: 926
Bikes: Schwinn Madison, Windsor Dover
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you're using bullhorns, have you thought of using a bar end brake lever? Just an idea, and you will have all kinds of bar hand space.
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm not a fan of TT levers. I don't like how they look when you only have one brake, and I prefer having my hands on the other part of the bars when braking.
#16
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: A1A
Posts: 588
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
why in the world are you wanting to put your levers so far out on the tops & take away a place where people normally put their hands?
when you were asking about that gran compe shot lever everyone advised you against it
this time around...just get smart & get a cross top lever
when you were asking about that gran compe shot lever everyone advised you against it
this time around...just get smart & get a cross top lever
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
why in the world are you wanting to put your levers so far out on the tops & take away a place where people normally put their hands?
when you were asking about that gran compe shot lever everyone advised you against it
this time around...just get smart & get a cross top lever
when you were asking about that gran compe shot lever everyone advised you against it
this time around...just get smart & get a cross top lever
#19
Senior Member
Those brakes are un-useable from any angle.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ok, guess no on the Dirty Harry's. Gonna head to the LBS tomorrow and see what BMX levers they have. Thanks for the input guys.
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 483
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Steamroller, Panasonic DX-3000, Trek 4900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Only reason I've been looking more at Dia Compe BMX levers is because they come in a 25.4mm clamp, which matches my bars. Most cross levers seem to be either smaller or larger, but never 25.4mm.
#25
Senior Member
I'd rather place a lever a little closer to the bend of the bullhorns, so I can grip the bars right around where my fyxation pursuit bars start to drop and reach the brake.
You gotta post a pic when this is done!