Originally Posted by
Andrew R Stewart
We've seen some bikes that were sold with V brakes and drop levers not designed for the cable pull needs of V brakes. Whether these bikes were speced this way from the factory or modified by some shop who cares. The miss match is still the problem. (As others have said in reference to the top mount levers only). What is not yet known is whether the OP's primary levers are V brake compatible or not. If they're STI, Ergo, Double Taps or Micro Shifts then the levers are also not right for the brakes.
If this is the case the least expensive and most straight forward fix is to install a Travel Agent adapter on each V brake. This is a pulley with two different diameters to accept cable pulling impute of caliper/canti levers and produce output of V brake cable pull amounts. They are a clean and easy install and the nicer version also has a built in barrel adjuster. Cost is around $25-30 each. The only reason (that I can think of) that these might not work is if there's a rear rack strut in the way. Andy.
I'm not sure what the name of the drop levers are. On one lever it says Shimano Tiagra, and on the other Shimano Tiagra Double. So I understand these are incompatible with V-brakes aswell? It'll fit the pattern: top bar levers incompatible, off topic but wheel and preinstalled tires were also a misfits. front gear shifting requires abnormal push on gear lever so I got completely rid of it. Adjusting screws on rear der. have no effect on movement. The bike is cursed. First and last time I buy Focus bikes.
The Travel Agent adapter fix sounds good, I found them here
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/problem-solvers-travel-agent/. But under description it says "Allows non-linear pull, STI or Ergo levers to be used with linear pull brakes". It doesn't mention Double, or am I wrong?