Dhorochokaro

I am leaning towards the Cinelli Criterium bars for my conversion based on how beautiful they are and the fact they are Italian (a theme I am trying to adhere to for my conversion). I believe I have thoroughly searched the forums for everything related to these bars and, along the way, noticed that I didn't come across a single pic with a cross lever on a set of Criterium bars. I understand the geometry of the bar may not be conducive to this setup (rounded geometry), but is this the reason why? Is it difficult to find the proper diameter for the cross levers? I really didn't want to settle for the Model 64's, but I may have to. Are there any pics floating around that I might be directed to?

Geordi Laforge

https://velospace.org/node/5201

onetwentyeight 

I think it would look better with two traditional brake levers.

Aldone

Cinelli Criterium with Tektro Cross lever, no problem

Dhorochokaro

Fantastic news. I appreciate the responses.

Geordi Laforge

+1
gum hoods

fuzz2050

It's a simple matter of aesthetics, two non-aero gum hooded levers would look gorgeous on that bar.

patrick8037

I'm thinking of doing the same thing on my new build up, and trying to keep it all Italian as well. Too bad no Italian companies make cross levers.

Dhorochokaro

128/olo/fuzz - I appreciate the suggestion. I have already made up my mind that I want to run a single front brake; I feel one traditional gum lever is ugly (I think you would agree) and having a second 'dummy' lever is equally unappealing. Again, I appreciate the suggestion, but I am looking for something more unassuming.

patrick - I would be interested to hear more about your build. What levers have you been considering? I really like the Paul e-lever and the Dia Compe Gran Compe Shot Lever (it comes in all silver, which I like). Again, these are non-Italian, but I don't think I can skirt the issue if I want a cross lever.

elTwitcho

Road levers on track drops looks nasty. Run the cross lever.

Geordi Laforge

they're not track drops.

elTwitcho

you might be right but they still have alot more curve to them than most traditional road bars and would IMO look dumb with road levers

onetwentyeight 

so you're saying that crit bars look weird with the levers they were designed to be used with?


i have paul levers on my cross bike. theyre great, but they have a chunkier, more industrial look to them.

elTwitcho

yes.

Geordi Laforge

they're crit bars and are designed for hoods. why else would they have double grooves if not for such levers?




they look fine to me.
of course, cross levers will work too.

elTwitcho

I never said they wouldn't work, I said they were ugly. Based on the photos you posted I'll restate that claim too.

Just because cinelli designed it a certain way doesn't mean it isn't dreadfully ugly. case in point;

onetwentyeight 

I dont think Cinelli made anything ugly until Colombus bought them out.

Geordi Laforge

who said anything about cinelli being infallible?

I think crit bars with hoods look just fine, but then again, I know the difference between these and track drops

Dhorochokaro

I agree the bars were designed for hoods, but elTwitcho is more than correct - those are ugly and as I mentioned early, won't apply for my application. To extend this discussion, what is the clamp diameter on the Criterium bars where the cross lever would be mounted? I will admit I haven't used the search function.

Note: bikepro states that the O.D. is 24.2mm for both Model 64 and 65 bars, but the 66 (CDM) bars have an O.D. of 24.0mm. Maybe this discussion is a moot point (I am also unwilling to shim my lever). Is 0.2mm gonna pose a problem? I wouldn't think so...

Geordi Laforge

I dont know the diameter of that section of the bars. I assume the 26.4 version will be larger and will not easily fit a non-hinged cross lever. The 26.0 will fit both types of levers.

Dhorochokaro

Let me clarify my earlier edit: levers with 24.0mm clamp diameters exist; 24.2mm clamp diameter does not (At least not for those levers I am considering).

fuzz2050

Not that the above photo doesn't look weird, with the 'hairnet' helmet, the demon with the scowling face and a ponytail, but I think that there is a lot to be said to riding with a dummy hood. Not what your looking though so I'll stop now.

elTwitcho

You left out the guy in the background who's so excited his erection is causing him to levitate...

Geordi Laforge

ha