Replacement Brake Levers
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 60
Likes: 50
Bikes: 2011 Rocky Moutain Solo CXR, 1985 Norco Avanti SL, 2004 Raleigh Tomahawk ATB
Replacement Brake Levers
Hi All, I'm converting an old Norco to a single speed, and need to find replacement brake levers. Currently, the bike has drops, and grip brakes with DiaCompe "calipers" (for lack of better term). I want to keep the drops, but change the brakes to be normal levers on the flats. I learned that you need to find brake levers that are compatible with canti/road style brakes because they are short pull, while anything listed for V-brakes are long pull.
Any suggestions for levers that won't cost me a fortune? (In Canada)
the handlebars are 22.2mm diameter.
Any suggestions for levers that won't cost me a fortune? (In Canada)
the handlebars are 22.2mm diameter.
#2
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,156
Likes: 6,216
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Hi All, I'm converting an old Norco to a single speed, and need to find replacement brake levers. Currently, the bike has drops, and grip brakes with DiaCompe "calipers" (for lack of better term). I want to keep the drops, but change the brakes to be normal levers on the flats. I learned that you need to find brake levers that are compatible with canti/road style brakes because they are short pull, while anything listed for V-brakes are long pull.
Any suggestions for levers that won't cost me a fortune? (In Canada)
the handlebars are 22.2mm diameter.
Any suggestions for levers that won't cost me a fortune? (In Canada)
the handlebars are 22.2mm diameter.
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,681
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From: Chapel Hill NC
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Hi All, I'm converting an old Norco to a single speed, and need to find replacement brake levers. Currently, the bike has drops, and grip brakes with DiaCompe "calipers" (for lack of better term). I want to keep the drops, but change the brakes to be normal levers on the flats. I learned that you need to find brake levers that are compatible with canti/road style brakes because they are short pull, while anything listed for V-brakes are long pull.
Any suggestions for levers that won't cost me a fortune? (In Canada)
the handlebars are 22.2mm diameter.
Any suggestions for levers that won't cost me a fortune? (In Canada)
the handlebars are 22.2mm diameter.
#4
Advanced Slacker

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,286
Likes: 2,602
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
I'll second Cyccommute's suggestions about what to look for, and Litespud's advice to not have your only brake levers up top. I'd either do interrupters or drop levers only.
If the tops are where you think you will be most of the time (enough to justify having your only levers there), I'd consider going with a flat bar.
Just my $0.02.
If the tops are where you think you will be most of the time (enough to justify having your only levers there), I'd consider going with a flat bar.
Just my $0.02.




