PSA: replacement hoods for non-aero brake levers
 

The industry has come a ways since the only replacement hoods for vintage non-aero brake levers that you could find were "merde plastique" from Euro-Aisian Imports (EAI) or Cane Creek.

Here is what I have found:

Dia Compe- it looks like Dia Compe now offers their brake lever hoods in color "Amber" ...looks like translucent gum to me. Both Dia Compe lever styles. I have an inquiry to one of their stocklists to see if I can purchase a couple of pair.
DC204QC COVER Amber | DIA-COMPE

Soma Fabrications- translucent gum and black hoods for vintage Campagnolo with Soma logo. Quality looks good, but I have not seen them in person.
Brake Lever Hoods for Vintage Campy | SOMA Fabrications

Rustines- translucent gum, black, and white hoods to fit Campagnolo NR/SR, Mafac (2 styles), Weinmann/Dia Compe, and Universal. Some styles are available from Velo Orange, and Rustines is easy and pleasant to deal with directly. All styles not always shown on their website, but an inquiry will get you
a quick reply as what is available and when. Rustines logo and very nice quality.
http://www.rustines.fr
https://velo-orange.com/collections/brake-parts

"NOS" Campagnolo NR/SR brake hoods- These are found easily on eBay though everyone should understand that most are not genuine new-old-stock. Both the older globe logo, and the newer shield logo styles on offer. Quality and price vary...
Legend has it that someone in Italy acquired the original molds from Campagnolo and is/was manufacturing reproductions from these original molds. This may be an urban legend- maybe someone here knows more about this story.
By all accounts, the reproduction NR/SR hoods from Hilary Stone are the nicest. I purchased 2 pair from him and the quality is excellent. Hilary sells reproduction Universal hoods and the little adjuster nipples that go with them as well, but they don't look like translucent gum to me.
At some point, I'll buy a pair and post a picture of them alongside a NOS set.
Hilary Stone Spare Parts Brakes

Seller doniselliciclimartin on Italian eBay sells reproduction Universal brake hood levers and adjuster nipples...perhaps the same item that Hilary Stone is selling. Not yet seen in person by me...
https://www.ebay.it/usr/doniselliciclimartin

For very early brake levers, David Beck- a regular poster here as "iab" makes a reproduction Vittoria brake lever hood. I'll let him explain the historical background of these- I'd probably get it only half right.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/681231...in/dateposted/

Then of course, there is always the genuine article. If you have the patience and the money a new-old-stock pair or a well preserved set will eventually turn up that matches or fits your brake levers. I've purchased NOS brake lever sets just for the fresh hoods. If your levers are very vintage, or not common,
be prepared with your credit card and strike fast...

There are probably others- please post other sources if you know of any...

I bought some of the Soma hoods. They seemed a bit too translucent to me. The price is right though.

I think the quality of the reproduction Campy hoods varies. I'm no good at record keeping, but I noticed the hoods on my Redcay are kind of gooey. Unfortunately, I don't know where I got them. On my next buy I'll probably purchase from someone I know, like John Barron.

For Campy types, don't forget you can still get Modolo 919 and 920 hoods from sellers on eBay.

Thanks for the mention of John Barron. I've read about his repro hoods, but don't know how to reach him.
Here is a link to John Barron's repro Campagnolo NR/SR hoods:

For Sale | Velostuf

Here are some other sources that I missed in my search:

Vintage Bicycle Parts : Brake Hoods, Pads, Cables and Housings

Robbie (here) : rnitro1969(at)gmail.com- Translucent Universal 61/68 on request(?)

Here is iab's thread on making the Vittorias mentioned above:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ria-hoods.html

If a cosmetic match is not important, I've found the A'me replacement hoods my preferred option. They came in several styles to fit different levers, including a copy of the Modolo "Anatomic" hood, which fits Campagnolo and similar levers. I don't recall what material A'me used, but it is far superior to natural gum rubber and doesn't crack, blister, or otherwise degrade over time. Here's a 30+ year old A'me hood on one of my bikes, still in service:

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/ame.jpg

Unfortunately, they've been out of production for a while, but if you can find a set, they're worth it: you only have to buy them once.

Has anyone found a hood that will fit the Dia Compe's with the big adjuster barrels up top? Both current Dia Compe offerings look to be the small diameter barrel. I read somewhere on here where a guy drilled his out, but on the small diameter hoods I have, the OD of the top of the hood is smaller than the OD of my lever barrels.

pic added to illustrate my dilemma
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a4d982dc0e.jpg

I would think the shape of the lever body and the hood would be more important to determine proper for. Wouldn't the hood stretch to fit around the adjuster?

Maybe @iab's Vittoria reproduction hoods would fit.

https://velo-orange.com/collections/...ver-hood-cover

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Dia...p/223515505266

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-VINTAGE...c365%7Ciid%3A1

SOMA Hood Durability
 

Reviving an old thread as I don't see anything more appropriate. I've got some Shimano 6207 brake levers that need new hoods. I have a few different Campy-like hoods in my drawer, Campy reproduction, Modolo 919 and 920, and a couple pair of the SOMA reproduction hoods. I trial fit one of them on a lever and the fit seems reasonable. Has anybody had these in service long enough to judge their durability? If they aren't going to last I'll go with one of the other options.