Lovegasoline

I'm wondering if someone can inform me regarding compatible brake levers to replace the stock brake levers on my 2010 Trek 520.
The levers I have are Dia-Comp. They do not have any model markings but the Trek bike archive states Dia-Comp 287 levers (if that's correct). The brakes are Avid Single Digit 5.
I'm wondering if Tektro RL340 AERO brake levers will work on this application (I recall reading something regarding long and short throw levers needing to match various brake types due to the leverage the former provide). I l don't like the shape and feel of the hoods Dia-Comp hoods esp. where the web of the thumb and index finger make contact: the RL340 levers look a blunter and wider and more comfy to me.

Would they work?

Bill Kapaun

The bike obviously has Linear Pull/V Brakes.
You want a long throw lever.
Not a short pull lever for Cantilever brakes.

tyrion

Tektro RL340 don't really pull enough cable for Avid SD5s. Tektro RL520 levers will work.

Lovegasoline

I thought it would not work, but then I saw Trek lists this same combo ("Brakeset: Avid SD-5 brakes w/Tektro RL340 levers") as the original equipment on their 2011 Trek 520:
https://archive.trekbikes.com/us/en/...ek/520/details

I have a 2010 Trek 520 which is practically identical.
Maybe their archive has incorrect info?

Unfortunately the hood shape on the RL520 closely resembles the Dia-Comps levels which I have and dislike.
Are there any other brake levers that will work with the SD5's but that have a hood profile closer to something like the RL340 (i.e. a wider and blunter platform for the hand?).

tyrion

Yes, I've had both the RL340s and the RL520s, and in the picture it on that Trek 520 page shows the RL520s. The text on the web page is wrong. You could use the RL340s with something like a Travel Agent.

https://problemsolversbike.com/produ..._agents_-_6416

Lovegasoline

Yeah, I figured the text was wrong.

I do not want to have to resort to using the Travel Agent is that mod the only option? Are there no other V-brake brake lever styles on the market?

tyrion

You can use short v-brakes.

https://www.gravelbike.com/v-brake-arm-lengths/

Not sure how short they have to be to get proper functioning with "normal" road brake levers. I bet the 80mm Tektro 926AL brakes would work with Tektro rl340 levers.

Lovegasoline

Thanks for that info.
If swapping out the brake levers for a better hood design requires replacing the entire braking system then it seems like too much additional expense. I thought there might be some variety in brake levers for this braking system, but that doesn't appear to be the case. It's a 'one size fits all' brake lever of the same profile shape/size regardless of who makes it, and if the one size doesn't fit you ... oh well. Riding with the ergonomics of these Dia-Comp hoods are not nearly as unpleasant as those on my mid 1980s Motobecane but are nowhere near as comfortable as numerous brakes/brifters on the market.

On an alternate trajectory, anyone know what sort of brake lever that works with these V-brakes + trekking (aka butterfly) bars?

csport

Another drop bar long pull (compatible with V-brakes) lever is Cane Creek Drop-V. I have no hands-on experience with it, only had Tektro RL520's.

Any flat bar V-brake lever (e.g., Avid FR-5) if you mount it on the flat part near the end of the bars. Some higher end (Shimano T610 IIRC) ones may have hinges, you can probably mount them on any straight part of the trekking bars.

zacster

I’m guessing that the cane creek levers are actually the same lever as the tektro. I know that to be the case with their other road levers. They just stamp their logo on the hoods.

Lovegasoline

That was my understanding as well ... other than adding a logo & texture to the hoods they appear to be identical.

70sSanO

I’m not sure how much stretch the Dia-Compe, Tektro, Cane Creek hoods have, but you might be able to wrap them, where your hands rest, with bar tape to give a little more girth before installing the hoods. They won’t be the same as the RL-340’s but they may be a little better.

John

zacster

And doubling the price.

bwilli88 

Find some Shimano BL-R780, they can be setup for either long or short pull.

Lovegasoline

Thanks!

bwilli88 

screen shot of the Shimano website and the manual for the brake levers.