Will the handle from an old fitness bike having canti-brakes work well on a modern BMX bike? I know that levers for canti- and v-brakes pull the cable using different leverage ratios. What about BMX brakes? Will those canti-brake levers work? Or do I need to get BMX-specific levers?

You mean the U brakes on freestyle bikes? Those will work with standard short pull levers, like you're talking about.

Pet peeve of mine; there's more to BMX than just freestyle. BMX race bikes have been using V brakes since the 90s.

Can you post a pic of the lever?

@Greyryder, thanks. And apologies for my lack of BMX bike knowledge. I am working to improve that.

I ended up giving the kid the old, canti-lever that I had. I also ran him some fresh brake cable--inner and outer. Can't say that I liked the feel of the lever, but the kid was able to skid the rear tire and he was real happy about being able to do that.

@Midschool22, I will try and post up later w/a photo.

Ok. I went to Danscomp.com and looked at their brakes. What I worked on yesterday was not a u-brake. It was a caliper brake.

I have this one, LBS suggested it, my expectations were to throw on a low end Tektro for cheap, after getting this one, I actually am happier with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Ops-Cali...ef=pd_sbs_sg_3

Also available:

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Ops-MX-H.../dp/B000AOXF62
https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-319AC-S...ef=pd_sbs_sg_2