Brakes for Cowhorns (Singlespeed)
08-04-09, 03:02 AM
#26
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This is way down the road, so atm its simply to indulge my curiousity, but how does a set-up like that work? I did a few 20-25mi rides over the weekend, and realized that although the stock flat bars on my bike are fine for short rides/commuting, I'd really like bullhorns/drops for longer rides. I'd like the option of setting up brakes "in-line" or whatever the technical term is, just can't tell how the cabling works on your pic. Care to enlighten me?
08-04-09, 08:11 AM
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Despite whether or not one thinks my setup is strange and looks unsafe, the picture hides a lot. The picture was simply a reference of how one can run both the cross top and the TT lever on bullhorns, for the OP, that is all.
08-04-09, 09:39 AM
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Thanks for all of the advice guys.
I'm going with this: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ils&ProdID=172 (Cane Creek 200 TTs, Reverse Brake Levers)
& This: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1308
(Odyssey Slic-Kable Brake housing/cable set , 1.8mm cable)
I'll post some shots when I'm done
I'm going with this: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ils&ProdID=172 (Cane Creek 200 TTs, Reverse Brake Levers)
& This: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1308
(Odyssey Slic-Kable Brake housing/cable set , 1.8mm cable)
I'll post some shots when I'm done
08-04-09, 09:39 AM
#32
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I second this. Whichever is more comfortable for you. Personally, I run both a reverse lever and a cross lever, since I prefer to be able to break regardless of where my hands are. 
twelsch
08-04-09, 11:38 AM
#33
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the irony is the use of two brakes for extra safety and braking ability, but yet installing them in a way that is potentially unsafe and probably has lessened braking ability. looks like there are two separate cables (and one without housing) attached to a single caliper.
just install them like they're designed to be installed.
just install them like they're designed to be installed.
08-04-09, 01:57 PM
#34
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They aren't placed in such a manner to increase safety and braking ability, but instead convenience and personal preference so there really isn't much irony at all. One cable isn't running housing for a portion because it is not running through the same barrel adjuster on the brake itself, instead it is farther up, so it is bare towards the fork crown.
Regardless, I made do with what I have, and it has worked for me. Once again, I have not made any suggestions to run the brake lines this way, I have only shown that you can run two different types of levers if you so choose. As to why I run two different types and on opposite sides, it's just how I wanted it set up, so it's how I have it set up. I understand that the majority of you would want to run them inline and would thus require them to be on the same side, and I have nothing against that. But, I decided to run it this way as it was the only thing I could think of. I suppose it would make you all a little less confused if I ran a standard short pull lever instead of a cross lever.
And again, the reason why the cross lever is setup as such is because I didn't know it could be set up another way, as I have only seen cross levers by themselves and not inline with other levers. I got the lever for free, so I never did any research on the topic.
To OP: I'm glad to see you made a decision, and I'm more than sure that you will be more than pleased.
Regardless, I made do with what I have, and it has worked for me. Once again, I have not made any suggestions to run the brake lines this way, I have only shown that you can run two different types of levers if you so choose. As to why I run two different types and on opposite sides, it's just how I wanted it set up, so it's how I have it set up. I understand that the majority of you would want to run them inline and would thus require them to be on the same side, and I have nothing against that. But, I decided to run it this way as it was the only thing I could think of. I suppose it would make you all a little less confused if I ran a standard short pull lever instead of a cross lever.
And again, the reason why the cross lever is setup as such is because I didn't know it could be set up another way, as I have only seen cross levers by themselves and not inline with other levers. I got the lever for free, so I never did any research on the topic.
To OP: I'm glad to see you made a decision, and I'm more than sure that you will be more than pleased.
08-04-09, 02:38 PM
#35
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Thanks for all of the advice guys.
I'm going with this: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ils&ProdID=172 (Cane Creek 200 TTs, Reverse Brake Levers)
& This: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1308
(Odyssey Slic-Kable Brake housing/cable set , 1.8mm cable)
I'll post some shots when I'm done
I'm going with this: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ils&ProdID=172 (Cane Creek 200 TTs, Reverse Brake Levers)
& This: https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1308
(Odyssey Slic-Kable Brake housing/cable set , 1.8mm cable)
I'll post some shots when I'm done
I thought the reverse lever comes with cable?
08-04-09, 06:15 PM
#36
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Sweet setup. I've got to do this on my bullhorns. Not having a brake on the ends keeps me off them. I already have a salsa cross lever on top for interrupt/in-line. Now to get a reverse lever and some new cable. Doh, and some new wrap.
08-04-09, 08:44 PM
#38
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They aren't placed in such a manner to increase safety and braking ability, but instead convenience and personal preference so there really isn't much irony at all. One cable isn't running housing for a portion because it is not running through the same barrel adjuster on the brake itself, instead it is farther up, so it is bare towards the fork crown.
Regardless, I made do with what I have, and it has worked for me. Once again, I have not made any suggestions to run the brake lines this way, I have only shown that you can run two different types of levers if you so choose. As to why I run two different types and on opposite sides, it's just how I wanted it set up, so it's how I have it set up. I understand that the majority of you would want to run them inline and would thus require them to be on the same side, and I have nothing against that. But, I decided to run it this way as it was the only thing I could think of. I suppose it would make you all a little less confused if I ran a standard short pull lever instead of a cross lever.
And again, the reason why the cross lever is setup as such is because I didn't know it could be set up another way, as I have only seen cross levers by themselves and not inline with other levers. I got the lever for free, so I never did any research on the topic.
To OP: I'm glad to see you made a decision, and I'm more than sure that you will be more than pleased.
Regardless, I made do with what I have, and it has worked for me. Once again, I have not made any suggestions to run the brake lines this way, I have only shown that you can run two different types of levers if you so choose. As to why I run two different types and on opposite sides, it's just how I wanted it set up, so it's how I have it set up. I understand that the majority of you would want to run them inline and would thus require them to be on the same side, and I have nothing against that. But, I decided to run it this way as it was the only thing I could think of. I suppose it would make you all a little less confused if I ran a standard short pull lever instead of a cross lever.
And again, the reason why the cross lever is setup as such is because I didn't know it could be set up another way, as I have only seen cross levers by themselves and not inline with other levers. I got the lever for free, so I never did any research on the topic.
To OP: I'm glad to see you made a decision, and I'm more than sure that you will be more than pleased.
Whether or not you run the cx lever on the opposite side of your TT lever is up to you, but at least install the cable and housing correctly. Your setup should be in the jackass thread. Dont want to take my world for it? Take your bike to your LBS and ask the head mechanic his opinion.
Good luck.
08-05-09, 04:07 AM
#39
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I ride bull horns and use a cross lever near the stem. I only have it there in case of emergency, but ride the horns for the most part and can slow down and stop with my legs under normal riding conditions.
To each his own...
Bull horns are great, by the way.
To each his own...
Bull horns are great, by the way.
Last edited by matthewlegs; 08-05-09 at 04:11 AM.
08-05-09, 07:06 AM
#40
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also, having the brakes for emergency use in the horns puts your weight really far forward, so it is much easier to be thrown over the bars. (personal experience speaking here, it was at very low speed too.)
I think the ideal setup would be the TT brakes with inline brakes on the tops, but then the bars are getting busy. FG is about simplicity. In the future I am just sticking with the cross lever bars on top. Although I do like the look of these Sram TT 500 Brake Levers,
so maybe sometime in the future I will go with both. i am such a flip-flopper!!!
I think the ideal setup would be the TT brakes with inline brakes on the tops, but then the bars are getting busy. FG is about simplicity. In the future I am just sticking with the cross lever bars on top. Although I do like the look of these Sram TT 500 Brake Levers,
so maybe sometime in the future I will go with both. i am such a flip-flopper!!!
08-05-09, 07:24 AM
#41
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I put on cross levers because I didn't want my bike to look like a praying mantis. That was actually my tie breaker. I've been happy with my decision, but I could see how a bike with a different geometry could be nice with TT levers.
08-05-09, 08:17 AM
#42
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also, having the brakes for emergency use in the horns puts your weight really far forward, so it is much easier to be thrown over the bars. (personal experience speaking here, it was at very low speed too.)
I think the ideal setup would be the TT brakes with inline brakes on the tops, but then the bars are getting busy. FG is about simplicity. In the future I am just sticking with the cross lever bars on top. Although I do like the look of these Sram TT 500 Brake Levers,
so maybe sometime in the future I will go with both. i am such a flip-flopper!!!
I think the ideal setup would be the TT brakes with inline brakes on the tops, but then the bars are getting busy. FG is about simplicity. In the future I am just sticking with the cross lever bars on top. Although I do like the look of these Sram TT 500 Brake Levers,
so maybe sometime in the future I will go with both. i am such a flip-flopper!!!
08-05-09, 09:41 PM
#43
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I recently switched to bullhorns and have a cross lever near the stem. After about 1000 miles on this setup, I'd rather have the TT lever at the end of the bars. When I'm going fast downhill or grinding hard, I am on the bar ends. That's when it would be nice to have the quickest access to brakes. I am either going to switch out levers or try to run an inline setup so I have brake levers in both hand positions.
08-11-09, 03:21 PM
#44
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Watch out! I just found out that the Tektro 4.1 reverse levers, maybe others also, require mountain bike cable, not road bike cable. The ends are the wrong size. FYI
08-11-09, 05:40 PM
#47
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08-11-09, 07:32 PM
#48
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Tektro 4.1 reverse lever, along with an in-line Salsa cross lever. Now there is no reason to avoid the horns. All you internet tough guys w/o brakes can suck my balls, and eat pavement.
Last edited by chaintug; 08-11-09 at 07:34 PM. Reason: pic
08-11-09, 07:37 PM
#49
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08-11-09, 10:11 PM
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If you're being picky it still looks like too much cable housing. Do you need it to curve twice or can you just run it with one radius from brake to brake?