Miele Man

I just bought a set of Shimano BL-R400 drop bar brake levers because the shop said they are fo0r V-brakes (not the short V-brakes) but the setup instructions show them being used with Dual-Pivot brakes not V-brakes. Are these BL-R400 brake levers intended to be used with normal V-brake calipers? This of course is a drop bar bike I'm putting them on. These brake levers were in the catalogue as being V-brake compatible which is why we ordered them.

BL-R400 = V-Brake compatible - yes?

Thanks and cheers

wesmamyke

Those levers are not for V-brakes. As far as I know Shimano does not make a V-brake compatible drop bar lever at all.

If you like the shape/fit of those levers you could get travel adjuster pulleys that install on the brakes themselves. Basically a replacement brake noodle that alters the cable pull.

Tektro makes V-brake compatible drop bar levers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

csport

Shimano info page, 2017-2018 SHIMANO Product Information Web says it is only compatible with Caliper (SUPER SLR) brakes.

I run Tektro RL520 levers with Shimano V-brakes and I can confirm that those work.

maddog34

Road type levers meant for Mechanical Disc Brakes should work... pretty sure mech. discs have the same cable pull length requirement as v-brakes... 35mm? Road/sidepull/center pull all use 25mm levers... might be in error... if so, someone will be along soon to point out my error.

Lazyass

You want a devise called the Travel Agent. It increases the cable pull.

voor9

I have been trying to mix Shimano Nexave v-brakes, Kona drop bar and Tektro RL-340 calibers together to build single speed from an old norwegian hybrid for the rainy day drives and city cycling. Changed the stem head with quill/ahead adapter for the Kona bar to fit. That was the easiest part with this project. Trouble getting the cable to pull with enough force. I'm already wondering if the cable has too narrow turns under the bar tape...

Could be tired brake springs or that I'm missing something here that should be done. Nexave brakes have a lot of different adjustment possibilities to figure all right, but still...they should brake harder.

Cantilever brakes next? Or other v-brakes? For cantilever there are nothing to hang the cable coming straight from upwards. I could use front u-brakes, but behind is vertical hole, so need the rare part that mainly french bikes used back in the days.

csport

There are drop bar brake levers with long cable pull: Tektro RL520, Dia Compe 287V and Cane Creek Drop V. The first two are quite cheap, the third is slightly more expensive.

Other solutions like Travel Agents or mini V's have their downsides, and they are totally sensible when changing the brake levers is not an option (e.g., brifters). If you use brake levers separate from the shifters, get one of those three and be happy. I use RL520's with Shimano BR-T4000 V-brakes with no problem.

veloz

Tektro RL520 is what I use with Shimano V-brakes. They work well and are inexpensive. Cane Creek is the same lever rebranded. Be aware you'll likely want adjustable noodles if you don't already have them. Don't waste your money on Travel Agents - mine were fussy and chewed cables. If you need brifters, Gevenalle makes long pull versions that appear bulletproof. I'm using those next time.

voor9

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I googled the travel agents. Seems that an easy conversion is turning to not so easy conversion.

I have a lot of experience from converting old travel/road bikes to single speeds. Never thought that the v-brakes are making so much trouble.

Should gave left this bike unchanged. But still the bike was outdated so not a big loss. And if I want to sell this, something needed to be done.

I need to get a hold on pair of those travel agents to see if they do the job. Or one pair of cantilevers to test how they work.

csport

In the US one Travel Agent is $20, a pair is $40. Plus they can fray the cable.

Sorry if I was not clear. I and @veloz meant that you could replace RL340 brake levers with RL520 (e.g., Tektro RL520 Drop Bar Brake Levers | Chain Reaction Cycles). RL520's are designed to work with V-brakes, they have long cable pull as needed for V-brakes. Probably the best and the cheapest solution.

voor9

No problem. I decided to try the cantilever brakes first. XLC BR-C01 cost here 8€ for a pair. And now I just need to adjust the force. So far looking promising.

The bike starts to be rebuild completely. One trouble was also the rear vertical dropout. Needed a chain tensioner for that (Shimano Alfine). After all this is going to be a single speed.

sweeks

I have these on my road bike: Shimano STI shifters on drop bars with XTR V-brakes. Bike is 16 years old with ~7,000 miles on it; no fraying. A bit weird looking, but brakes work great!
Steve