Morimorimori

Hi, everybody.

I've already done some research and inquiries to this point, and it seems there are mainly 2 approaches to this problem

1. So called "inline brake levers" often used on CX bikes. It's fairly tested solution but it's limiting you a bit in regards to where you can place the 2nd set of levers (it must be somewhere along the path of cables from your main levers)

2. Adapters like this one: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cables/p...le-doubler-21/

That 2nd option is what I liked the most, as it doesn't seem to have a location limitation I mentioned before. But the prices set for the device is a bit staggering... Especially in the light of the fact you need 2 of those, 1 per each group of coupled levers.

When I look at this item, it just seems like the only thing it does is joining 2 cables coming from levers into one going to one of the brakes. I just can't believe the only way to do it is to use such an expensive device. Are the cheaper options, perhaps? Can I simply use some kind of 5$ clamp to securely fasten 2 incoming cables to one outgoing?

Morimorimori

Found another similar solution https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cables/j...ublecontrol-s/

But again, 40 euro for 1 item (you need 2). Why it must be that expensive? It seems to me like a job some kind of 10-15$ specialized clamp could do.

cobba

What handlebars do you have or want to use?
What brake levers do you currently have?
What sort of setup do you want to have?
What type are your mechanical disc brakes, mountain or road?

Morimorimori

That's still not decided. I have clear vision of what I would like to use, but I'm still searching for proper parts to implement it. Ideally, I would like to have a regular straight, wide enough (at least 60cm) handlebar positioned pretty high, thus allowing me to assume a riding position with almost straight back, like it's usually done on city bikes - and at the same time have some horns attached to it, pointed down, which would allow me to assume a more leaned forward posture for situations when I need to traverse a rougher terrain than regular city's pavement. This is where I want to have an additional set of brake levers.

I've reviewed a lot of regular road bull-horn bars, but they all are too narrow for my taste (not a single one wider than ~50cm), so I'll need to assemble something custom.

I have a set of 2 long levers which came with my V-brakes. I'm planning to substitute those brakes for a set of mechanical disk brakes very soon.

Not sure what you mean. I've described my desired handlebar setup already, so hope this was what you are asking for.

It's Avid BB7 which is road brakes, I believe.

Morimorimori

Seems like Avid BB7 are advertised as mountain disk brakes at manufacturer's site, so I may be mistaken.

cobba

BB7's come in road and mountain versions.

https://www.sram.com/avid/component/...al-disc-brakes

The cable pull of a brake lever needs to match the brake, road brakes use short pull brake levers, mountain brakes use long pull brake levers

Morimorimori

These were the ones I bought: https://www.bike-components.de/en/Av...oseout-p25564/

cobba

Those aren't made to be used with v-brake levers.

Morimorimori

I believe I read before that V-brake levers can be used for mechanical disks brakes as well. What can be the problem, I wonder? It's still a cable which is pulled, why not?

cobba

It's all about the amount of cable that different types of brake levers pull, road mechanical disc brakes are made to be used with short pull levers, mountain mechanical disc brakes are made to be used with long pull levers.

v-brake levers are long pull levers
road brake levers are short pull brake levers

V-brake levers and mountain mechanical discs are compatible, road mechanical discs aren't made to be used with v-brake levers.

If you use the wrong type of brake lever with a certain type of brake, you can either have spongy brakes or a brake that needs the brake lever to be squeezed very hard.

Morimorimori

Hm, I may need to review my setup then... What bother me now is whether I can use a regular brake lever with the brakes I bought at all?
I mean something like this one (yes, I know this one is for hydraulic brake): https://static.bike-components.de/ca...481258610.jpeg

Or are those road BB7 brakes are only compatible with levers used on bull-horn handlebars and to use the regular levers I'll need to buy the MTB set? When I try to browse Road disk brakes category at bike-components, this seem to be the only type they have listed there.

cobba

Your road mechanical discs can be used with flat bar road brake levers like the Shimano BL-R550 or the SRAM S-700, they can also be used with drop bar brake levers, bull horn brake levers and inline cross levers.

You have more brake lever options with the road mechanical disc brakes.

Morimorimori

One thing to clarify. Brakes my bike is using atm is a variation of those: https://www.tektro.com/products.php?p=173
Sorry for the confusion, I'm not very knowledgeable about brake types, so I refer to such designs as "V-brakes"

Regarding the road vs mtb types of BB7, I see some feedback here and there that when used in conjunction with Avid Speed Dial 7 levers, it doesn't matter which type of brakes you have, you can adjust levers to fit both. Is it true?

Jeff Wills

Yes- some brake levers can be adjusted or adapted to pull the correct amount of cable for "road" or "mountain" brake calipers. Avid SD-7's are one of those. I used them on a recumbent that had a "road" brake caliper in front and "mountain" V-brake in back.

cobba

That Tektro brake is a road caliper.

V-brakes look like this: https://www.tektro.com/products.php?p=160

Speed Dial 7 levers are a long pull lever that are made to be used with v-brakes or mountain mechanical discs, they have a bit of adjustment with the amount of cable pull but they don't pull the same amount of cable as a road lever.

Morimorimori

Thank you, both, you helped immensely. I would never noted my mistake until I would take it to the local shop for installing them.. So it seems to correct my mistake I just need to additionally order those levers I've selected: https://www.bike-components.de/en/Sh...L-4700-p43856/
Seems like they are intended for road brakes and have a good quality tier as well. As for the 2nd set of brakes, it will probably be something like this (mounted on a pair of horns attached to my straight main handlebar) https://www.bike-components.de/en/SR...shebel-p34939/

Morimorimori

Actually, it seems I don't need to buy those new levers. From some other discussions, quotes:

So it seems like calipers are in the same "pull category" as other road brakes. That I believe means my current levers should work ok (I like them a lot, they are quite long and comfortable).

cobba

Those are for drop bars.

Sounds like you want a setup with bull horn levers and cross levers: https://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/...DSC00757.0.jpg

Do you have gears on the bike?

Morimorimori

It will have Shimano Alfine 8sp IGH after upgrade, yes. Bullhorns I see in stores don't meet my requirements, though. They are at best ~500mm wide, and are intended for leaned-forward riding poster, while I would like to my main posture to be almost straight, with a wide (that's important, at least 60cm) straight handlebar positioned fairly high, and things like this one attached to it at around 10-15cm apart from each its end: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/handleba...ar-ends-black/

cobba

Like these with drop bar brake levers and flat bar levers?

https://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/dr...l#post10751504



What's the bike you have?

Morimorimori

Yes, that guy's setup is what I would like to build. And yes, I would like to additionally install brake levers at drop bars as well, these ones: https://www.bike-components.de/en/Sh...griffe-p43604/

My bike is Montague Urban, but I'll be heavily modifying it soon (internal gear hub, disk brakes, new handlebars setup etc)

cobba

Looks like you'll need a couple of cable splitters/doublers.

* Those Jtek splitters come in 2 versions for different cable pull

short: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cables/jtek-doublecontrol-s
long: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cables/jtek-doublecontrol-l

Morimorimori

Yes, already ordered them. Short ones, as I believe they are the ones intended to be used with regular road brakes (the other ones are advertised as compatible with V-brakes)