KS_rider

I did some searching online but couldn't really find a nice chronological history of shimano brake levers. My interest is in being able to study the various non-aero and aero brake levers across the various model lines of the 1980's.

A build issue that I am going to face is having NOS/NIB 600EX non-aero brake levers. I prefer the aero cable look BUT I really love the slotted levers on those 600EX's! So my curiosity is in knowing if there were ever any 600EX aero slotted lever versions or in lieu of that I can probably find some Dura-Ace slotted lever versions. I'm going to guess that finding hoods could be very challenging for those vintage levers.

I know they sell modern aero version brake levers so I can always go that route, but I sure would love to have those slotted levers on my bike without having those cables waving in my face. Apologies to those who like that look!

Does anyone have a link or site where I might peruse the great brake levers of the 1980's?

frpax

try velobase.com

Jeff Wills

+1

Hope this works: https://velobase.com/ListComponents.a...c-212bdd016a33

Rolling over the names of the components pops up a thumbnail photo of the part. Very slick.

The Golden Boy 

I sort of went through the same thing-

I love the slotted lever look. I love the look of the tri-color brakes. The drilled or slotted levers are not spring assisted, so they don't go well with the tricolor brakes. I just went with aero tri-color levers- they look suitably cool, but not as cool as like the slotted Superbe levers.

I'm no expert, but the cool slotted levers were the 6207,6208, Z306 and the Superbe 3200.

Oops, I left out two Dura Ace levers 7200, and MA200.

KS_rider

Neat! This gives me a place to start deeper research from. It certainly doesn't appear that any of the slotted (drillium like) levers are aero levers.

Jeff Wills

Think about it- slotting the brake levers kind of defeats the purpose of "aero".

cyclotoine

you can make them aero with a drill and a file. It was done back in the day and is not that difficult. In fact, the early campagnolo aero levers were optional aero or non and they actually has a thinner part in the casting which the mechanic files away to allow the cable to exit and be routed under the bar tape. drilling the hole for a step down ferrule would be the way to go.

KS_rider

Yeah, I've got some 6207's. Were it so simple as pulling the slotted levers out of the non-aero housing and installing them in an aero housing I would be on it like stink on a poop pile.

eschlwc

let's see 'em. these are '81 600 levers moved over to my '84 club fuji.

hairnet

600EX 6207

KS_rider

Yep, that's what they look like (levers that is). I'd love to transplant the actual levers themselves into an aero housing and my wishes would be met.

rccardr 

Seen the Tektro TRP drilled levers? Come with black or gum hoods and I think in two different level finishes.
Not to my personal taste, but some people love 'em.

eschlwc

^ incredibly comfy though, and they require far less hand power to stop. i've put cane creek scr-5 aero levers on a couple vintage bikes for this reason. what i've found though is the novelty of the old non-aeros is gone, and i miss it.

hairnet

This is the one thing I don't like about them. It just feels like there is extra leverage so I end up with squishy feeling brakes and it is too easy to bottom out the lever, but I also have very big hands