Can I see your front brake-only setups?
07-13-12 | 10:23 PM
#1
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Green Tea Lemonade
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 369
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From: Highland Park, NJ
Can I see your front brake-only setups?
I've wanted to go single brake on my Timeline for awhile now, and I've been running it with the rear brake disenaged. I like it, and think I'm ready to go front brake only. I currently have drops on it, and I really don't like the feel of a loose lever. I want some inspiration. Could some of you guys post your single brake handlebar setups, and how you've liked them, and why you have it the way you do? Thanks!
07-14-12 | 12:37 AM
#4
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Click to see a larger version
I can reach the lever with my left thumb when I'm riding near the bends of the bar; otherwise I just use the lever normally when I'm riding on the flats. Very comfortable (and bar has been lowered since the pic was taken, for those wincing).
07-14-12 | 07:39 AM
#9
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From: Costa Mesa, CA
07-14-12 | 10:18 AM
#10
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From: Seattle, WA
I also have a set of bars with hoods that only use the front brake. The right one doesn't have a spring to keep it open. What I did was put a zip tie where the brake cable would go, then I used a second one to form a kind of L shape on the curve of the bar. After that I trimmed off the excess and put a third zip-tie around the bar to keep the whole thing in place. After wrapping the bars you don't notice the bump where the zip-ties are. The right brake stays open, doesn't vibrate, and feels like somethings there. Although, it's not wise to pull too hard on the dummy brake. It will move the zip-tie and quite possibly rip some of the bar tape.
07-14-12 | 11:54 AM
#12
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I'm experimenting with it, too. I had pretty much broken myself of the habit of reaching for the rear brake lever, but I wanted to force myself to use the drops more of the time, so I also moved the front brake lever lower.
(Please disregard the towel that I forgot to move.)
(Please disregard the towel that I forgot to move.)
07-14-12 | 11:57 AM
#13
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
07-14-12 | 12:35 PM
#15
The space coyote lied.
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Here's a nice one we got donated to the shop the other day. Nice brake arm tucked under the top tube cables setup on this Royce Union.
2012-07-14_09-22-25_883.jpg by Lester Of Puppets, on Flickr
2012-07-14_09-22-25_883.jpg by Lester Of Puppets, on Flickr
07-14-12 | 02:14 PM
#16
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front cross lever, great for navigating through tight spaces while on the tops of the bars. Remember that as you get more comfortable riding fixed, you will be able to control your momentum using backpressure throughout the pedal stoke at low to moderate speeds more effectively (good for snaking your way through crowds), negating the use of your brakes.
The drawback of this lever position is that when you're REALLY booking it (in the drops), you gotta move your hands from the drops to the tops quickly should an "OH SH*T!" moment arise...
Last edited by Sean A; 07-14-12 at 02:16 PM. Reason: damn you html code...
07-15-12 | 12:47 PM
#22
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From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
07-15-12 | 11:05 PM
#23
:)
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From: duluth
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
I've wanted to go single brake on my Timeline for awhile now, and I've been running it with the rear brake disenaged. I like it, and think I'm ready to go front brake only. I currently have drops on it, and I really don't like the feel of a loose lever. I want some inspiration. Could some of you guys post your single brake handlebar setups, and how you've liked them, and why you have it the way you do? Thanks!
Just run two brakes if you have hoods, or if you are serious about style points, just stuff an old receipt into the mechanism so it doesn't rattle on the unused hood... One hood is annoying as heck IMO.
07-16-12 | 09:28 AM
#24
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From: Cypress TX
Bikes: Salsa Fargo Ti, Cannondale CAAD9, Carbonello Fixed Gear, Specialized Epic Disc
Here's mine. I just pulled the actual lever off and kept the hood part. They also sell dummy hoods for tandems if you don't have an old lever lying around. My lever rattled so that is the main reason for removing it. I never even notice that it's not there.
Last edited by Bluechip; 07-17-12 at 06:09 PM.
07-16-12 | 08:23 PM
#25
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From: Newport Beach, CA
Bikes: Cinelli Vigorelli
Thank you very much.
It works great. I came from a left side bar end lever on a set of Deda bullhorns with a Tektro caliper to the hoods/delta. In the drops is crazy good, on the hood it needs a bit of grip as the pivot point is higher and therefore harder to squeeze. I truthfully only got it for the overall look it gave to my bike. It added weight, but completes the look I was aiming for. Now if i could only decide on which clipless pedals/shoes to buy....
Tyler
Tyler