Recommend disc brakes that are compatible with disc cable brake lever?
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Whoever wrote that "drill down" had no idea what they're on about. Your BB7 isn't broken; it really is a single-piston caliper that acts on one pad with the other being stationary (and adjustable.) If you want double-action mechanical calipers, get quality ones such as the TRP (Spyke if your levers are short-pull) or the more obscure - and slightly pricier - Origin8 Vise II (of which there are two versions, R and M.)
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Spyke is for long-pull MTB brake levers. Spyre is for (most) road bike/drop-bar brake levers/brifters - which are short-pull (except a few Rivebdell and Tektro levers, which are long-pull) and the few short-pull MTB levers that may still exist. The same applies to Origin8's Vise II calipers (M vs. R.) So, make sure you get the one that's right for your brake lever.
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Spyke is for long-pull MTB brake levers. Spyre is for (most) road bike/drop-bar brake levers/brifters - which are short-pull (except a few Rivebdell and Tektro levers, which are long-pull) and the few short-pull MTB levers that may still exist. The same applies to Origin8's Vise II calipers (M vs. R.) So, make sure you get the one that's right for your brake lever.
https://bikerecyclery.com/nos-suntou...-xc10-xc-9000/
Suntour XC PowerBrake Lever NOS
it is a four finger long liver, I guess they are long?
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I am not really sure if my levers are short or long, those levers are like 30 years old.
https://bikerecyclery.com/nos-suntou...-xc10-xc-9000/
Suntour XC PowerBrake Lever NOS
it is a four finger long liver, I guess they are long?
https://bikerecyclery.com/nos-suntou...-xc10-xc-9000/
Suntour XC PowerBrake Lever NOS
it is a four finger long liver, I guess they are long?

If it's in the 20mm range, you've got short pull levers (and given their age, chances are they might be short-pull.) If they're in the 30mm range (which I doubt, just looking at the picture, ) you're looking at long-pull levers.
The length of the blade (or how many of your fingers you can put on it) is irrelevant.
#30
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Summary: We think you have short pull brake levers. Short pull levers work on either road brake calipers or cantilever brake calipers. Long pull levers were introduced to work with linear pull brakes (v-brakes) which require more cable pull. Long-pull is the norm for off-road these days. So your levers should work with mechanical disc brakes meant for road. BB7 has a road version, and Spyre is a road version. Spyke is the long-pull version of Spyre.
BB7 is a single-actuator caliper; and it only moves the outer pad. It works by deflecting the rotor into the inner pad. Proper adjustment involves adjusting the inner pad as close to the rotor as you can get without rubbing. That's an adjustment that Spyke/Spyre don't need. Both will stop you fine, but BB7 will be a little 'fiddy-er'.
BB7 is a single-actuator caliper; and it only moves the outer pad. It works by deflecting the rotor into the inner pad. Proper adjustment involves adjusting the inner pad as close to the rotor as you can get without rubbing. That's an adjustment that Spyke/Spyre don't need. Both will stop you fine, but BB7 will be a little 'fiddy-er'.
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ok, so i ordered TRP spyre. the short pull version and the suntour lever is a long pull one it seems, 30mm distance from pivot point to where the cable head starts. when I pull the brake lever, the caliper moves and clamps the rotor, but doesnt return to its original position. when i pull the caliper with my hands, it returns back freely to original position. not when i pull the lever. how much am I in a bind here? please do not tell me that I need to replace spyre with spyke :X
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Summary: We think you have short pull brake levers. Short pull levers work on either road brake calipers or cantilever brake calipers. Long pull levers were introduced to work with linear pull brakes (v-brakes) which require more cable pull. Long-pull is the norm for off-road these days. So your levers should work with mechanical disc brakes meant for road. BB7 has a road version, and Spyre is a road version. Spyke is the long-pull version of Spyre.
BB7 is a single-actuator caliper; and it only moves the outer pad. It works by deflecting the rotor into the inner pad. Proper adjustment involves adjusting the inner pad as close to the rotor as you can get without rubbing. That's an adjustment that Spyke/Spyre don't need. Both will stop you fine, but BB7 will be a little 'fiddy-er'.
BB7 is a single-actuator caliper; and it only moves the outer pad. It works by deflecting the rotor into the inner pad. Proper adjustment involves adjusting the inner pad as close to the rotor as you can get without rubbing. That's an adjustment that Spyke/Spyre don't need. Both will stop you fine, but BB7 will be a little 'fiddy-er'.
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Try lubricating the brake cables with something like Boeshield. Maybe there is excessive friction between the cable and the housing?
Is braking power sufficient with these levers/calipers?
Is braking power sufficient with these levers/calipers?