Brake levers: V-brake and cantilever
#1
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Brake levers: V-brake and cantilever
Hello
I am restoring a very neglected MTB. The cantilever brakes are in good condition, but the plastic brake levers are brittle.
I can find many levers for V-brakes, but very scarce for cantilevers.
Are they interchangeable?
Thanks
I am restoring a very neglected MTB. The cantilever brakes are in good condition, but the plastic brake levers are brittle.
I can find many levers for V-brakes, but very scarce for cantilevers.
Are they interchangeable?
Thanks
#2
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V/linear pull levers will move more cable to match the amount the higher leverage factor the arms have. Canti/caliper levers pull less cable. In the real world every brand/model can be slightly different in exact length of cable being pulled or needed to be pulled so there can be some overlap between the two camps. But most will say they are not compatible. Not that we don't see it done, just not what a shop should do to their customer. Exceptions do exist. One is to use a device that translates the amount of cable being pulled by the lever to what the brake wants. Problem Solvers made their Travel Agent, a stepped pully design, that's most common these days although out of production IIRC. Other devices used a lever arm with cable attachment points along it to effect different cable movement amounts.
So no to interchangeable is the best and safest word. Andy
So no to interchangeable is the best and safest word. Andy
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Not really and doing so can be hazardous to the rider. Either get cantilever brake levers to go with the cantilever brakes or get V-brake levers and V-brake calipers. I just di that to a mountain bike with drop handlebar. I really liked the bike and wanted better braking than what I could get with the cantilever brakes. It works very well with the Alivio V-brake calipers and the dropbar style Tectro V-brake levers. Braking is so much better now.
Cheers
Cheers
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I have a MT bike with these. Will work with either canti, v-brake, or mech disk. Good quality.
Tektro Eclipse MT 2.1 levers
Tektro Eclipse MT 2.1 levers
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Cantilevers = short pull: https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-R5...d-Brake-Levers -- cheap!
Interestingly, I noticed a DIFFERENT set of flat bar levers that said road brakes (I assume dual pivot calipers), V-brakes, and mech-disc brakes.
Road bike brakes should be short pull. Not sure if that means there's some kind of adjustment built in to make the levers short vs. long pull.
Interestingly, I noticed a DIFFERENT set of flat bar levers that said road brakes (I assume dual pivot calipers), V-brakes, and mech-disc brakes.
Road bike brakes should be short pull. Not sure if that means there's some kind of adjustment built in to make the levers short vs. long pull.
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I have a MT bike with these. Will work with either canti, v-brake, or mech disk. Good quality.
Tektro Eclipse MT 2.1 levers
Tektro Eclipse MT 2.1 levers
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The adjustment is that knob at under the lever right at the pivot point. That's the idea behind the Avid Speed Dials. It kind of works but a set of short pull cantilever levers do work better. Shimano made some transitional levers long ago that had a block system that could be moved so that the lever could work with both.
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Here's an amazon links to the Tektro's:
Amazon - Tektro Eclipse MT2.1
The funky nut on the cable end of the lever is where you set up the pull.
Amazon - Tektro Eclipse MT2.1
The funky nut on the cable end of the lever is where you set up the pull.
Last edited by grizzly59; 01-13-20 at 10:26 AM.
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I use Tektro MT2.1 levers on two of my bikes. They are very easy to adapt to either type of brake.
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https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ.../BL-R2000.html
#11
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These are an option if you can find them.
You move the plastic "plug" in either/or position depending on brake type.
These are the "4 finger" version.
The 2 finger is V brake only.
You move the plastic "plug" in either/or position depending on brake type.
These are the "4 finger" version.
The 2 finger is V brake only.
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Additionally, if one were so inclined, many cheap linear brake levers could be converted to short pull levers. They often have a recess where they could be drilled out either short or long pull version. The cable anchor would have to be riveted in place or otherwise attached to the lever blade. This is often more of a hassle than it is worth, however.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!