Which hoods fit Gran Compe levers (86 Voyageur)?
11-09-20, 02:31 PM
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Which hoods fit Gran Compe levers (86 Voyageur)?
I've tried the Dia Compe hoods from VO, Rustines and Cane Creek. None fit appropriately. The Cane Creeks wont sit flush against the bars and the other two prevent full lever movement.
Any of you Voyageur people have a suggestion on which to try next?
Any of you Voyageur people have a suggestion on which to try next?
Last edited by polymorphself; 11-09-20 at 02:36 PM.
11-09-20, 08:25 PM
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i got some cane creek's years ago and got'em to work on something other than dia compe levers. don't recall what levers they were....sorry. no matter...had the same issue with lever movement. so, i neatly trimmed on the hood underneath where it was obstructed. turned out great. fwiw. good luck!
11-09-20, 10:03 PM
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I got the Dia Compe 202/204 hoods to fit just fine. There is a slight hindrance under the lever, but this can be remedied with slight cuts underneath, on either side of the lever.
I left the hindrance uncut on one set as it doesn’t actually prevent full range of movement, and actually provides a little ‘springiness’ for that SLR/BRS-like feel :-)
I’ve also tried the cane creeks but they fit worse, require more trimming, and feel awful on the hoods.
I left the hindrance uncut on one set as it doesn’t actually prevent full range of movement, and actually provides a little ‘springiness’ for that SLR/BRS-like feel :-)
I’ve also tried the cane creeks but they fit worse, require more trimming, and feel awful on the hoods.
11-09-20, 10:39 PM
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Never did find hoods that I was happy with, for the Gran Compes on my 84 Supersport. Started with the Cane Creeks, way too short, didn’t even touch the bars. Settled for the VO dia compe hoods, not great fit, but at least feel good when riding them. Always looking for something better.
Tim
84 Supersport
Tim
84 Supersport
11-10-20, 01:35 AM
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I personally love the SOMA Campy hoods for my Gran Compe levers. They seem to be far more durable than Rustines, which also tend to dry out quickly.
SOMA Campy hood on Dia Compe Lever
SOMA Campy hood on Dia Compe Lever
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11-10-20, 12:06 PM
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Awesome. Do these allow the lever to be fully engaged without catching the bottom of the hood? Looks like they fit perfectly.
11-10-20, 01:16 PM
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11-10-20, 01:31 PM
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polymorphself Thanks for posting, those look way better then the VO dia compe hoods.
Tim
Tim
11-10-20, 01:55 PM
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Now, what ferrules or cable adjusters fit best?
Thanks for these images and the Soma hood recommendation. I wouldn’t have thought to try them. With gloves, I’ve settled on and don’t mind the naked hood look.
I love these GC levers and bought the recent or repop diacompe threaded cable adjusters from VO that I believe I see in squarenoise ’s second image. But these repop cable adjusters don’t really work with my older grancompe levers with the cool cutouts. Do people “tap” threads into the top of these levers to get the adjusters to thread in or is there some other 1980s model variant of this lever that takes these adjusters or is it just that these repop adjusters only work with the repop non-aero diacompe levers that VO also sells. Perhaps squarenoise would be willing to add more photos or intel about those cool adjusters and enlighten me on that score, too.
much obliged to anyone who can answer this question and help make these levers as smart and functional as possible
I love these GC levers and bought the recent or repop diacompe threaded cable adjusters from VO that I believe I see in squarenoise ’s second image. But these repop cable adjusters don’t really work with my older grancompe levers with the cool cutouts. Do people “tap” threads into the top of these levers to get the adjusters to thread in or is there some other 1980s model variant of this lever that takes these adjusters or is it just that these repop adjusters only work with the repop non-aero diacompe levers that VO also sells. Perhaps squarenoise would be willing to add more photos or intel about those cool adjusters and enlighten me on that score, too.
much obliged to anyone who can answer this question and help make these levers as smart and functional as possible
There's a pretty good gap, but they do slightly touch when full engaged. Definitely not enough to affect braking though. If memory serves correct, the Rustines hoods touch more and start cracking at that contact point. These SOMA hoods are a good year+ old and still feel soft/supple.
11-10-20, 01:57 PM
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Meant to also say that I’m using step-down ferrules at the housing and brake lever interface. It’s an ok fit, but I think it could be improved by using the cable adjusters or ferrules these levers were designed to use.
thanks,
thanks,
11-10-20, 02:43 PM
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Thanks for these images and the Soma hood recommendation. I wouldn’t have thought to try them. With gloves, I’ve settled on and don’t mind the naked hood look.
I love these GC levers and bought the recent or repop diacompe threaded cable adjusters from VO that I believe I see in squarenoise ’s second image. But these repop cable adjusters don’t really work with my older grancompe levers with the cool cutouts. Do people “tap” threads into the top of these levers to get the adjusters to thread in or is there some other 1980s model variant of this lever that takes these adjusters or is it just that these repop adjusters only work with the repop non-aero diacompe levers that VO also sells. Perhaps squarenoise would be willing to add more photos or intel about those cool adjusters and enlighten me on that score, too.
much obliged to anyone who can answer this question and help make these levers as smart and functional as possible
I love these GC levers and bought the recent or repop diacompe threaded cable adjusters from VO that I believe I see in squarenoise ’s second image. But these repop cable adjusters don’t really work with my older grancompe levers with the cool cutouts. Do people “tap” threads into the top of these levers to get the adjusters to thread in or is there some other 1980s model variant of this lever that takes these adjusters or is it just that these repop adjusters only work with the repop non-aero diacompe levers that VO also sells. Perhaps squarenoise would be willing to add more photos or intel about those cool adjusters and enlighten me on that score, too.
much obliged to anyone who can answer this question and help make these levers as smart and functional as possible
The photos I shared above show adjusters that are original, from the 80s. They're a pretty rare find, but I do see them popup every now and then.
The new repro adjusters offered through Velo Orange are indeed too wide to fit original Gran Compe levers, both body types. I suppose you could bore out the hole to make them fit, but I've never tried that myself.
The new VO versions DO fit other non-aero levers though, like the Shimano 105 levers below.
11-10-20, 06:11 PM
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Not sure what your brake lever looks like. This is the Dia Compe 202/204 amber colored hood. I bought these last year. Can be found on eBay for $20<, search “Dia Compe hoods amber”.
Last edited by tyler_fred; 11-10-20 at 06:14 PM.
11-10-20, 08:50 PM
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Boom. Thank you, squarenoise and cudak888 . These are some very helpful details. I now know that I have the NGC 450 levers, but not the proper adjusters.
Very good to know those repop diacompe barrel adjusters work with other levers like the Shimano 105 non-aero.
I’ll keep an eye out for a complete set of NGC 450 levers, and I’ll consider boring out a ratty pair of superbe non-aero levers to see if I can do that well enough to fit the repop barrel adjusters I’ve got now. Wouldn’t want to risk it with the nicer GC levers.
Thanks again!
Very good to know those repop diacompe barrel adjusters work with other levers like the Shimano 105 non-aero.
I’ll keep an eye out for a complete set of NGC 450 levers, and I’ll consider boring out a ratty pair of superbe non-aero levers to see if I can do that well enough to fit the repop barrel adjusters I’ve got now. Wouldn’t want to risk it with the nicer GC levers.
Thanks again!
Here's a good thread about the two variants of the original Gran Compe levers: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...oto-essay.html
The photos I shared above show adjusters that are original, from the 80s. They're a pretty rare find, but I do see them popup every now and then.
The new repro adjusters offered through Velo Orange are indeed too wide to fit original Gran Compe levers, both body types. I suppose you could bore out the hole to make them fit, but I've never tried that myself.
The new VO versions DO fit other non-aero levers though, like the Shimano 105 levers below.
The photos I shared above show adjusters that are original, from the 80s. They're a pretty rare find, but I do see them popup every now and then.
The new repro adjusters offered through Velo Orange are indeed too wide to fit original Gran Compe levers, both body types. I suppose you could bore out the hole to make them fit, but I've never tried that myself.
The new VO versions DO fit other non-aero levers though, like the Shimano 105 levers below.
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11-10-20, 09:38 PM
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12-09-20, 11:55 AM
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Friendly update with hopefully useful information, at least for maybe JT1973.
I've just discovered the Soma Campy hoods are also a good fit for the slotted Shimano 600 brake levers. AND the modern Dia Compe cable adjusters fit these levers as well.
I've just discovered the Soma Campy hoods are also a good fit for the slotted Shimano 600 brake levers. AND the modern Dia Compe cable adjusters fit these levers as well.
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12-09-20, 01:13 PM
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ooo, that’s a great tip. Much appreciated! I’ll have to search eBay for those levers. And glad to hear the soma hoods are a good fit. Was thinking of ordering some in black for a pair of campy levers.
thanks again, friend!
thanks again, friend!
Friendly update with hopefully useful information, at least for maybe JT1973.
I've just discovered the Soma Campy hoods are also a good fit for the slotted Shimano 600 brake levers. AND the modern Dia Compe cable adjusters fit these levers as well.
I've just discovered the Soma Campy hoods are also a good fit for the slotted Shimano 600 brake levers. AND the modern Dia Compe cable adjusters fit these levers as well.
12-09-20, 01:40 PM
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11-19-21, 10:38 AM
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Brake Levers
Hello everyone, I’m following on a post I’ve seen here while back with a question. I have these non-aero levers that I believe to be Dia- Compe but marked Gran Star. It looks identical to Dia-Compe Gran Compe Brake Levers but with a gs marking. I’m looking for: 1. Additional information and 2. What will you recommend for hoods that will fit well! The Cane Creek I’ve tried on are too short
11-19-21, 11:13 AM
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Hello everyone, I’m following on a post I’ve seen here while back with a question. I have these non-aero levers that I believe to be Dia- Compe but marked Gran Star. It looks identical to Dia-Compe Gran Compe Brake Levers but with a gs marking. I’m looking for: 1. Additional information and 2. What will you recommend for hoods that will fit well! The Cane Creek I’ve tried on are too short
That being said, I ended up deciding to switch to aero levers on my Voyageur anyways and found this beautiful pair of NOS Gran Compe levers:
11-19-21, 08:48 PM
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Eran -
The Gran Star GS logo levers are Chang Star knock offs of the Gran Compe levers. I assume the Soma hoods would be a best fit but I do not know this for sure.
The Gran Star GS logo levers are Chang Star knock offs of the Gran Compe levers. I assume the Soma hoods would be a best fit but I do not know this for sure.
11-20-21, 06:24 PM
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The N.O.S. AME-brand hoods fit perfectly on my Gran Compe Aero Compe levers
