(Part 2) Best bike brake levers according to redditors
We found 161 Reddit comments discussing the best bike brake levers. We ranked the 67 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
Saddle - https://www.amazon.com/Charge-Bikes-Saddle-Synthetic-Leather/dp/B006H5D8XI
Shifter - https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Integrated-ST-EF51-Alivio-Shifter/dp/B00KVCEEMC/
Hangar is probably a decent price.
With Shimano's 105 shifters (with mechanical brakes) you would have to swap out the entire unit to use hydraulic brakes.
This is because the current shifters will not have a resevoir or anything related to hydraulic brakes.
You would have to swap them out for these levers or similar: https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-RS505-Hydraulic-Levers-Calipers/dp/B01JPXCM8A
As you can see, they come with the hose pre-attached and the caliper already attached. The shifter will be slightly longer/larger than what your bike currently comes with. This is to accomodate the oil resevoir.
Note: I have a feeling Shimano's hydraulic shifters will only work with 11 speed cassettes, but I'm not 100% certain on this.
Edit: Here's Shimano's compatability chart: http://productinfo.shimano.com/#/com/2.4 If you navigate to "Hydraulic systems compatibility [ROAD]" then you can see which shifters have hydraulic capabilities, then search them up for prices where you live. It also lists which calipers are appropriate for use with the shfiters.
yes, you can use drop bars. but you will need to buy new levers, as your current levers won't fit the new drop bars. also, you have v-brakes on there, which require long-pull levers. MOST drop bar levers are short pull, so you will have to get levers made for linear pull brakes.
These are levers specifically designed for smaller hands, they may help.
http://www.amazon.com/BRAKE-LEVER-TEKTRO-R100A-SHORT/dp/B0047EPA2I
http://www.amazon.com/Cane-Creek-SCR-5c-Compact-Levers/dp/B001GSQO32/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1403147702&sr=1-1&keywords=Cane+Creek+SCR-5c
Mini v-brakes would work with the existing levers and also would work better. E.g. https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-V-Brake-compatible-standard-levers/dp/B012XYRAF8/
Those are "short pull", aka "normal road brake cable pulling" aren't they? SCR-5C are the "short reach" aka "for small hands" version. The 5C might be what that seller you linked intends to ship though (as long she doesn't order one of the other 3 listings). Amazon listings can be a fucking mess sometimes.
Maybe try these? brake lever grips
This is true but with a caveat: mtb levers will not work on bullhorns bc they can't get around the bend of the bars. If you do decide to go with pull levers you need to look for cyclocross levers, otherwise known asin-line levers. There are those out there that feel this unsafe because it functions differently than the typical set up but imo this is a totally acceptable route to go, and several single speed companies ship new bikes with these levers and I've often run then this way myself.
Googled Red reverse levers. Got this and this.
First of all, I think that's a pretty nice frame. Double butted Tange steel tubing means it should be decently light and strong. Was a middle/higher end bike back in the day. Definitely keep it...it's worth fixing up.
Don't know anything about those tires, but the rest of the purchase looks fine. 28mm tires will "probably" fit, so good luck with that; bikes from that era had a bit more clearance.
You may also want to check if any of the other wear parts need replacement. This is usually the case if the bike sat unused for years: brake cables and housing; derailleur cable and housing; brake pads. After a decade, cable and housing often get gummed up and pads get hard/dry. Getting good brake pads like Kool Stop will make a huge improvement.
With the tires off, scrub the rim braking surface with a brillo pad or something similar, using vodka or rubbing alcohol, whichever is more available.
Check for chain wear with a chain checker (a $5 tool) or measuring with a ruler (google it). If the chain wear is fine and it isn't horrifically corroded with rust, it'll be fine even after 10+ years.
For commuting, I suggest a nice set of generic pedals that are wide, have good bearings, and have good grip. I've had good luck with various Chinese pedals, like this set: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DHHQQHG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You didn't post a pic of the actual bike. But if it's got the original levers, the single best thing you can do is to upgrade with modern brake levers which are substantially more ergonomic:
https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-RL340-Brake-Lever-Black/dp/B01173986A/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=brake+levers&qid=1565320277&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-9
https://www.amazon.com/TRP-Alloy-Brake-Lever-Black/dp/B007DCFKE4/ref=sr_1_18?keywords=brake+levers+cane+creek&qid=1565320183&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-18
Yes, there may or may not be other things to overhaul, like bearings and such. But save that for later.
I think your main problem is that the brake levers are straight instead on curved. I'm sure a replacement of just new levers would be relatively inexpensive.
8 bucks American: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWW61OU?psc=1
Good answer.
I was going to say that there are two additional alternatives to the brake issue. (1) get brake levers with a longer pull. Something like this. You'd need separate shifters, perhaps bar ends. (2) switch from V brakes to cantilevers, which require less cable travel. Not sure if all bikes support this.
I myself went with option (2) because the bike I was converting already had cantilever brakes. (Miyata Triplecross hybrid, now with drop bars).
You will need new shifters and I would guess the brakes are missing too. So you may need new brake levers. New cable housing to route the cables. Adjusting everything. Links to some options are below
https://www.amazon.com/Paraout-Shimano-SL-M310-Shifter-Trigger/dp/B07W4HK3QP/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bike+trigger+shifter+3x8&qid=1573758587&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/BicycleStore%C2%AE-Universal-Aluminum-Bicycle-Mountain/dp/B013QLONKM/ref=sxin_2_ac_d_pm?ac_md=1-0-VW5kZXIgJDEw-ac_d_pm&keywords=brake+lever&pd_rd_i=B013QLONKM&pd_rd_r=b88b7687-7250-4233-87eb-35bb520fc968&pd_rd_w=lALuB&pd_rd_wg=vs2TF&pf_rd_p=24d053a8-30a1-4822-a2ff-4d1ab2b984fc&pf_rd_r=0QYX1S131NSC5930Z3QS&psc=1&qid=1573758728
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Universal-Standard-Brake-Cable/dp/B0050LUBZ8/ref=sr_1_6?crid=M0H4P9EMDCUC&dchild=1&keywords=replacement+brake+cable+for+bicycle&qid=1573758757&sprefix=replacement+brake%2Csporting%2C194&sr=8-6
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Standard-Zinc-coated-Derailleur-1-2x2100-mm/dp/B00KXMEXOY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=shift+cable+bike&qid=1573758787&sr=8-4
so something like this, that says "four finger" but also has a set screw to reduce length of pull?
https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Skid-Mountain-Diameter-Aluminum-Non-Slip/dp/B07C3N6Q34/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Ef-51-Shifter-brake-Lever/dp/B00U3MLXB0/ref=sr_1_1?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1452196429&sr=1-1
I bought these to put on a 13 year old saracen and they work fantastic smooth shifting all round.
They come with the shifter cables too all he would need to buy would be the brake cables (£1)
I absolutely despise the gripshifters worst thing ever invented it's not accurate enough for the derailer and I keep accidentally shifting or moving it just enough that it tries to shift and it jerk me.
Origin 8 makes some sweet vintage looking modern levers: Clasiq brake lever
So does Dia Compe
All that I mentioned in the original post, I have replaced.
I don't have the shimano 105, but I have it in sight! :p
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B00B706I1C/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3UGWOUZWLDS6W&colid=2MFL83ZAP2A2E&psc=1
Aww....If you were using 6800 or newer I would suggest the Alfine Left Brake lever which has the same shaped lever body. Also I am desperate to see someone do this setup.
If you know the shop guys, they might do it for free if you bring 'em a six pack. If you buy the brake from a shop, they might install it for you.
Honestly, though, installing brakes is pretty simple - you remove the bolt and washer, slide the pin in through the hole in the fork, and then put the washer and bolt back on. Tighten it down. The rest of it's just getting the cable tension and pad placement right, which you'll need to deal with on your own some day anyway.
The lever, on the other hand, depends on what sort you're going with. There are basically three options (I'm linking Amazon, but that's just because it was easy for me to search; you may find better deals than what I'm linking to, I just want to be clear about the sorts of levers I'm talking about - and furthermore, the ones I link might not even match the bar diameter for the bike in question):
If the bike comes with a brake, I'd try mounting that on the front first; if it works, you've saved yourself some money, and if it doesn't, you may gain some knowledge about what in particular you need (possibly, for example, you can get by with just getting a different center pin).
My solution was to use the mountain bike pull brake levers + bar end shifters. Cane Creek makes really good brake levers for v-brakes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GSQO4G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The bike in the pic had 3x7. It's now shimano 3x9. The brakes were canti, and now v-brakes. As I mentioned in another comment here, I tried to use the travel agent to keep the original brake levers. Although it does work, but it's not that easy to set up, and once you screw up, you'll kind of have to toss the brake cable. Once kinked, running cable through travel agent's hole is very difficult. Using the travel agent and buying brake levers - pretty much the same price.
https://i.imgur.com/Oo24pyD.jpg
I really like the feel of brake using Cane Creek's lever + Shimano Deore V-brake. Works extremely well.
Here's my basic amazon sleuthing trying to do it for less. I suspect this is a bad idea, but I need to know why:
Bullhorns
Brakes
Aero Bars
Tektro RL720 Aluminum Cross levers, 24.0 clamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AYKR8A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FIb6CbGKWPX1Z
Here's some inexpensive Shimano flat bar brakes that might work.
This is the #1 thing I am considering doing. However, the tektro set for $20 is apparently too large to fit on my handlebar? So I am considering this one, http://amzn.com/B000BMRPTQ , since it seem to fit better based on the review.
Just have to find some way to free up enough $$$ to pay for it. (hate being on a shoestring budget, sigh...)