Brake levers - brake compatability

i recently bought a set of these

to work with a set of these

but for all the fettling i cant get them to work with each other

i'm wondering if its a compatability problem, or just a fail on my part?

thanks

what do you mean - "they don't work with each other"?

Fail on your part i suspect? :-)
what's the problemo specifico....????

it just seems like the lever isn't pulling enough cable :s

They should work fine together. Do the levers have a little button on the side near the pivot? If this is in the wrong position, it may give the problem you have. It's for allowing the blocks to move away from the rim for ease of wheel removal. Other than that, and making sure you have pulled the cable through properly, dunno...sorry. Post pics of them mounted up on the bike.

Peace

Kurt

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=22

Single pull brakes are not the best, if you are used to using dual pull or any other form of brake this may make you think that the brakes aren't working. Get dual pull calipers you will notice the difference.

^Good point, you might be on to something there....

Single pull brakes are not the best, if you are used to using dual pull or any other form of brake this may make you think that the brakes aren't working. Get dual pull calipers you will notice the difference.

you mean single / dual pivot

Yes ;-)

Yes ;-)

:)

ok so these belong in a museum and you need your head examined for even considering fitting them to a bike.
*
edit: unless the bike is going to go in a museum*

Close. They are Shimano, so they belong in a bin.

campag stuff is made by shimano. fact.

+1 for checking the quick release - it will reduce the amount of cable pulled if its switched the wrong way.

Also how old are those brake blocks? - I used to use the original brakes of a '74 bike, didn't do shit untill I changed the block - made a huge difference.

I'm still a newbie so can't post threads so thought I'd just add my question on to this one...

Brake lever related - I've got some original Kona cantilever brakes but need some levers. I've had a look at can't seem to find any decent brake levers for flat handlebars. I know Avid don't make their cantilever brake levers anymore. Do you guys know if Dia Compe Dirty Harry's or any BMX type lever would work with canti's?

Thanks

Dan

They won't work..

Search for Brakes and it should throw up some suggestions.

I've got some original Kona cantilever brakes but need some levers. I've had a look at can't seem to find any decent brake levers for flat handlebars. I know Avid don't make their cantilever brake levers anymore. Do you guys know if Dia Compe Dirty Harry's or any BMX type lever would work with canti's?

Those levers will work with cantis, but not with linear-pull (V) brakes.

Quote:

  Originally Posted by **Afterworkproject** [![](http://static.londonfgss.com/images/londonfgss/buttons_lite/viewpost.gif)](http://www.londonfgss.com/thread29012.html#post927108) 

I've got some original Kona cantilever brakes but need some levers. I've had a look at can't seem to find any decent brake levers for flat handlebars. I know Avid don't make their cantilever brake levers anymore. Do you guys know if Dia Compe Dirty Harry's or any BMX type lever would work with canti's?

Those levers will work with cantis, but not with linear-pull (V) brakes.

Most BMX leavers will pull the same amount of cable for canti's, you can still buy good levers that work with canti's or road calipers. I'd bet the new avid speed dial levers would be fine for canti's when u dial them for less cable pull to match an old canti leaver. u could go for some new shimano nexaves (bl-t400), u can set em for v or canti

[URL="http://www.londonfgss.com/member9098.html"][/URL]

    it just seems like the lever isn't pulling enough cable :s

Some old single pivots can use a bit more cable pull/more pad travel. Like the huge ones on dutch bikes. I got some single pivot campi chorus brakes that would work fine and look alright. They've been sitting about and are a bit tarnished. You could have em for £25.

I use the Dirty Harry Dia Compe lever with a Shimano 105 dual pivot caliper and have had no issues, plenty of stopping power alone, and very good when combined with adding resistance to the pedals (not skidding, I like my tyres!).

Beware that only one colour comes in a size that will fit drop handlebars. I bought the wrong one by accident but managed to get away with filing down the clamp to fit over the bars.

all sorted now, there was a small part missing which was to stop the cable outer from entering the brake, so i swapped it from the old levers, and then all was well :)