Brake levers for trekking/butterfly handlebars?
 

Hi everyone,

I'm new on this forum (from Sweden) and totally new at touring and not very knowledgeable about bike mechanics (yet). I have a brand new surly long haul trucker, but I bought an entire "bike set", not just the frame, and I wanna replace the drop bars with butterfly bars, but I assume I have to replace the brake levers since the ones I have now seem to be specifically for drop bars (" Tektro, RL340/341 drop bar levers").

Question: any recommended brake levers (cantilever brakes) for butterfly handlebars (the BBB Multibar type, if that makes any difference)?

Thanks!

Hi Termy,

If they're hooded levers, no they won't work. There are few ways you could go, if I were switching to a trekking bar, I'd go with in-line levers.

Similiar to these:http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SearchD...in+line+levers

If you're not familiar with them, they mount on the flat part of the bar, on either side of the clamp.

Hey, thanks for the quick reply. Yup, the ones I have now are hooded. That link you posted doesn't seem to display any specific brake levers, but I seem to get the point from googling in-line levers. I've been looking at some tektro brakes, for example: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tektro-rl720...-brake-levers/ , are those the type you were referring to?

The problem there seems to be that the diameter is different than the trekking handlebar... the part of the trekking bar closest to me (the flat/straight part with the ends) seems to be 22.2 mm or something, and those brakes there are 24mm and wider.. does that still work? I can't seem to find any smaller ones anywhere.

Just found another set of brakes: http://www.rosebikes.se/artikel/shim...600/aid:520064

"SHIMANO Road brake levers BL-4600. Suitable for road bike and cantilever brakes, for handlebar Ø 22.2 mm"

Would these perhaps be compatible?

You should be careful using in-line levers as your primary lever. Most brake levers allow the cable head to rotate when the lever is pulled, minimizing flexing. In-line levers don't have this provision, and can flex the cable enough to cause breaking. It's not common, but it's enough of a problem that it might be wiser to look for normal levers.

There are lots to choose from, and they are priced about the same as the in-line levers. I like the Tektro FL750. I just think they look nice. You also have the TektroFL740. If you have a trust fund, or a very nice job, you can get a Paul lever. The quality is fantastic, and so is the price

A cantilever [not V brake] mountain bike lever will work.. that BL-4600 will be fine..

I have seen what may be called Mustache bar setups,
road brakes all the way on the front of the bar..

I happen to prefer them at the back-center open end of the bars..

my favorite rim brakes, now, the German Magura HS33.. hydraulic rim brakes..
they were the OEM pick on my 04 Koga Miyata WTR .. came with trekking bars..

Alright. I failed to mention however that my cantilever brakes are "Tektro, CR720" ones. Those Shimano BL-4600 I found seem to be only compatible with "BR-4600/ 5700/6700/7900/R451/CX50/70". Is there no compability between Tektro and Shimano? Do I have to change the entire brake system?

Termy, How about these brake levers? http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_pr...r&sort=1&fid=3

Brad

PS I forgot to mention that you should measure the outer diameter of the handle bars where the levers will mount. The above levers are available in two additional clamp size choices.

No, it must be fine. S. just doesn't provide the compatibility list for other companies. There might be some tiny differences in cable pull, but it will possible to adjust breaks correctly.
22.2mm is a standard size for bars with straight sections.

Tektro made trekking levers that work great with those bars, but I don't think they're in production currently. You might be able to find a set with a bit of luck... Here's a set of them that I found at a flea market:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y...00/misc_02.jpg

Thanks for the tips. Those levers do look appropriate bradtx. I also measured the handlebar diameter of the butterfly handlebar, which is 22.2mm. mikhalit: ah yes, obviously shimano wouldn't be listing tektra products there.. silly of me :)

I did order those Shimano BL-4600 today though, so I'll just keep my fingers crossed that I'll get one step closer to finishing my bike, and one step closer to riding out into the misty twilight of new adventures!