Brake lever compatibility
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 465
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL build, CAAD10, Bianchi Pista '13, Litespeed Antares '03
Brake lever compatibility
I'm new here and I'm about to upgrade a 2011 Bianchi Pista Steel single speed bike to make my commute a little bit more comfortable. Most important thing I want to upgrade are the brake levers because the stock ones are super uncomfortable.
I'm looking for a nice brake lever and I think I have Sram (900/500), Shimano (R600/R400), Cane Creek (Drop V, SCR-5) on the table.
So here is the problem: I also want to install my spare Ultegra BR-6500 brakeset along with the brake levers and I can't find any compatibility information. Can I use the Sram levers (I prefer the look and feel over the Shimano ones) with the older ultegra brakes?
I'd appreciate any information on this or any personal experience with brake / brake lever combination on a single speed bike. Thanks!
I'm looking for a nice brake lever and I think I have Sram (900/500), Shimano (R600/R400), Cane Creek (Drop V, SCR-5) on the table.
So here is the problem: I also want to install my spare Ultegra BR-6500 brakeset along with the brake levers and I can't find any compatibility information. Can I use the Sram levers (I prefer the look and feel over the Shimano ones) with the older ultegra brakes?
I'd appreciate any information on this or any personal experience with brake / brake lever combination on a single speed bike. Thanks!
#3
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 990
Likes: 58
From: Michigan
Bikes: Many
Most brake compatibility issues center around the V brakes on MTB's and on road vs mountain versions of cable discs. Sidepull and double pivot caliper brakes should all have about the same cable pull requirements and work with typical road brake levers.
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 465
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL build, CAAD10, Bianchi Pista '13, Litespeed Antares '03
#5
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,274
Likes: 6,631
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Just as of note I do like my SRAM 500s as others have said they will work just fine with pretty much any road brake. I wouldn't go with the 900s because I think the carbon brake levers are overkill especially for a commuter bike and not as sturdy and durable as the 'luminum five hundys. If you want more lever in the hand l I would avoid the SRAMs because they are a thinner lever made for aerodynamics and such.
I am hoping to upgrade to ultegra brakes (because I found them cheap on my local craigslist and I needed new brake pads so for a little over retail price for new pads I can just get a newish and better brakeset) I am just waiting to hear back from the seller.
I am hoping to upgrade to ultegra brakes (because I found them cheap on my local craigslist and I needed new brake pads so for a little over retail price for new pads I can just get a newish and better brakeset) I am just waiting to hear back from the seller.





