Can you swap brake levers on older bikes?
09-15-14, 02:13 PM
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Can you swap brake levers on older bikes?
Hello,
I have an 87 cannondale SR500 that has Shimano 105 BL-1051 brake levers. The hoods are near impossible to find as a replacement so I was interested in swapping out the levers for some 105 BL-1055 levers since those hoods are widely available. Do you have to replace the whole breaking system or should this be a simple swap out?
I have an 87 cannondale SR500 that has Shimano 105 BL-1051 brake levers. The hoods are near impossible to find as a replacement so I was interested in swapping out the levers for some 105 BL-1055 levers since those hoods are widely available. Do you have to replace the whole breaking system or should this be a simple swap out?
09-15-14, 03:10 PM
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No issues on swapping road brake levers, except be careful to avoid those made for CX bikes using V-brakes. (cantis and calipers are the same)
On a mtn bike it's the same, but the odds of making a canti vs. V-brake error are greater.
On a mtn bike it's the same, but the odds of making a canti vs. V-brake error are greater.
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09-15-14, 04:00 PM
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Agree, no issues swapping vintage road brake levers, but some hoods may have an anatomical preference for right or left.
09-15-14, 05:46 PM
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The OP is going from one model of Shimano's 105 road levers to another 105 model. The probability that either is intended for V-brakes is nil.
09-15-14, 05:56 PM
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BTW- I don't stay up with current offerings, so I have no idea (zero) whether or not Shimano offers a 105 variant for CX.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 09-15-14 at 06:21 PM.
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