Rob63

Hi everyone
I took this Dia Compe brake lever (not STI, brake function only) from my wife's Trek 520 (1998), and am installing on an older Miyata I have. These 2 holes only exist on one of the levers (the other is simple to install -one hole, one cable.). What is with the 2 holes? I'm assuming 2 different cable ends. And on the inside it has a free floating rectangular shape with 2 holes from which to run the cable, and it sits in a cavity. I spoke to my LBS, and installed it, but their guesses were as good as mine....which wasn't a good one because after installing, the lever pulls the cable, but the cable doesn't retreat back into the socket, leaving the brake pads secured on the wheel. Any insights is appreciated.

dedhed

​​​​​​https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?t=78712

​​​​​​Tandem brake levers - South Salem Cycleworks

grumpus

Usually a lever with two cables is used in a situation where you want to operate two brakes from one lever, typically the paired wheels on a trike, or a tandem that has both hub and rim brakes (usually a drag brake on the rear hub operated by one lever, and both rim brakes operated by the other). I'm trying to imagine how yours looks inside the hood, and what the cable route should be for it to run smoothly, but without a clear picture ...

Iride01 

That doesn't seem like it'd be the levers fault. The brake pads should open on their own when the lever is no longer being pulled. Is there some binding in the cable housing somewhere?

Or maybe the brake calipers themselves are stuck. What happens when you release the cable from the pinch bolt on the brakes? While you have it undone, see how easy it is or isn't to pull back and forth from the lever.

You did put the cable in the hole that had the recess for the cable terminus didn't you?

maddog34

the cable is corroded/rusted, or is kinked, somewhere inside the housing, or the brake caliper pivot nuts are too snug on the Caliper arms.

Rob63

I have cross levers installed as well, and the cross levers work the brakes and release as it should, but the drop bar lever only secures the brake pads but does not release them. So I'm assuming the issue is somewhere in the housing or cable from cross lever to the drop bar lever.

Rob63

I should note that I'm using cantilever brakes.

Paul Waque 

I recently had a similar issue with a Dia Compe long pull brake lever. Credit to the mechanic that figured out the new 5 mm cable housing was not seating properly and the brake was designed for 4 mm cable housing. Drilling out the brake lever to accept the 5 mm housing did the trick.

Iride01 

I some how thought you might have been using cross levers. I couldn't think of the term when I replied. Never had them myself and I have no idea about exactly how they connect into the brake system. So maybe some others will think of something unique to that configuration. Best I ever had on my vintage bikes was the old turkey leg.

However it's still seem like it'd have to be the cable binding somewhere. Maybe even up in the shift lever.