aero vs traditional brake levers

[Tony Sweeney]

Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
choice and more easily available currently.

And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -

You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
outer. You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper to
lift a quill stem out.

Not big problems I know, but problems that would make non-aero levers a
better choice if there are no advantages with aero levers.

All irrelevant if you are using ero/sti of course.

Tony

 

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:52:25 +0000, Tony Sweeney
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
>under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
>choice and more easily available currently.
>

Not a function of their "aero" nature, but most or all modern aero
levers are made with springs in them that assist the brake return and
allow a lighter spring at the caliper. The result is a lighter feel.
--
JT
****************************
Remove "remove" to reply
Visit http://www.jt10000.com
****************************

 

[[email protected]]

On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:52:25 +0000, Tony Sweeney
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
>under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
>choice and more easily available currently.
>
>And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
>
>You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
>outer. You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper to
>lift a quill stem out.
>

If you hit a big bump or pothole and you are on the hoods, the
traditional arrangement may well keep your hands on the hoods, while
the new-fangled types will allow them to come off - and make it more
likely that you will lose control and come off as well.

 

[[email protected]]

On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 06:42:13 -0500, John Forrest Tomlinson
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:52:25 +0000, Tony Sweeney
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
>>under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
>>choice and more easily available currently.
>>
>
>Not a function of their "aero" nature, but most or all modern aero
>levers are made with springs in them that assist the brake return and
>allow a lighter spring at the caliper. The result is a lighter feel.

At the cost of a greater effort required to actually USE the brakes -
leading to a diminished total braking force available.

Another example of the dumbing down of cycle manufacture - like lawyer
lips for those who are too stupid to use a qr properly, lever springs
are good for those who won't maintain their brake cables properly.

 

[Andy M-S]

> And any disadvantages?

It's harder to carry French bread with aero levers. But it's easier to
carry shopping bags.

 

[Helmut Springer]

Tony Sweeney <[email protected]> wrote:
> Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable
> routed under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from
> being more choice and more easily available currently.

I think they have a slightly higher ratio than older non-aero. From
what I see they feature better rubber, and I prefer a system with
less cable in the air and less openings at the top that can collect
sweat and corrode.


> You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the
> cable outer.

If you use the plastic channels Shimano ships with its levers you
can replace the housing without touching the bar tape.


--
MfG/Best regards
helmut springer

 

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

Tony Sweeney wrote:
> Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> choice and more easily available currently.
>
> And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
>
> You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
> outer. You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper to
> lift a quill stem out.
>
> Not big problems I know, but problems that would make non-aero levers a
> better choice if there are no advantages with aero levers.
>
> All irrelevant if you are using ero/sti of course.
>
> Tony

Some calipers require a spring in the lever to return properly. These
weaker spring calipers may not open fully or quickly using non-aero
levers. I have that problem with Centaur calipers and levers w/o a
spring.

 

[Ozark Bicycle]

[email protected] wrote:
> On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 06:42:13 -0500, John Forrest Tomlinson
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:52:25 +0000, Tony Sweeney
> ><[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >>Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> >>under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> >>choice and more easily available currently.
> >>
> >
> >Not a function of their "aero" nature, but most or all modern aero
> >levers are made with springs in them that assist the brake return and
> >allow a lighter spring at the caliper. The result is a lighter feel.
>
> At the cost of a greater effort required to actually USE the brakes -
> leading to a diminished total braking force available.
>

Wrong - the return spring in the levers is "balanced" by a lighter
sping in the calipers. Only if one used older calipers with return
spring equipped levers would what you say be true.


> Another example of the dumbing down of cycle manufacture - like lawyer
> lips for those who are too stupid to use a qr properly, lever springs
> are good for those who won't maintain their brake cables properly.

I recall when the Shimano 105 brakeset with return springs in the
levers appeared; they felt nicer than my Dura-Ace brakeset, and believe
me, my bike was well maintained. Return springs are a nice improvement.
Not a big deal, but nice to have.

 

[JBAFromNY]

Tony Sweeney wrote:

> Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> choice and more easily available currently.
>
> And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
>
> You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
> outer.

In practice, I don't think this is a problem -- I replace bar wraps
once or twice a year; In the fifteen years I've owned my current bike,
I think I've replaced the brake cable housing twice.

>You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper to
> lift a quill stem out.

I've not had to do that.

>
> Not big problems I know, but problems that would make non-aero levers a
> better choice if there are no advantages with aero levers.

Return springs aside, I think there are advantages. With non-aero
bars, the cables get caught on stuff, and generally get in the way.
They're also more liable to getting mangled when the bike gets put in
the trunk of a car. For a while, I had two bikes, one aero, one non-.
Every time I rode the non-, I remember thinking, "gee, these things are
a real PITA", and being very happy to get back to the aero levers.

John

 

[landotter]

Tony Sweeney wrote:
> Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> choice and more easily available currently.


Another riding position, palms on the "horns" when riding Campy ergo,
or the Tektro copies.

You can flip the bike upside down for roadside repair w/o bending the
cables.

Out of your way visually and physically.

The return spring issue is pretty benign. Now that we have shorter runs
of housing compared to the past and more cable stops, lever feel is
nice across the board. I do have the housing of my aero levers on the
drop bar bike exit the tape two turns after the lever instead of at the
stem in order to reduce cable friction.

 

[Vee]

[email protected] wrote:
> On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:52:25 +0000, Tony Sweeney
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> >under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> >choice and more easily available currently.
> >
> >And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
> >
> >You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
> >outer. You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper to
> >lift a quill stem out.
> >
>
> If you hit a big bump or pothole and you are on the hoods, the
> traditional arrangement may well keep your hands on the hoods, while
> the new-fangled types will allow them to come off - and make it more
> likely that you will lose control and come off as well.

I don't understand. Are you saying that the run of housing on old
fashioned hoods keeps your hands in place? Are you serious? Is there
some other difference between aero and non-aero hoods that I'm missing?

-Vee

 

[* * Chas]

"Tony Sweeney" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> choice and more easily available currently.
>
> And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
>
> You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the
cable
> outer. You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper
to
> lift a quill stem out.
>
> Not big problems I know, but problems that would make non-aero levers
a
> better choice if there are no advantages with aero levers.
>
> All irrelevant if you are using ero/sti of course.
>
> Tony
>

I have 5 retro road bikes that I ride. All of them have downtube shift
levers so shift/brake lever are not an issue for me.

I'm using aero levers on 2 bikes that I put together this past summer. I
have wide hands with short fingers and I ride on the horns most of the
time. The horns on most brake levers are too small for my hands.

I have Dia-Compe 287 levers on one bike. They have the biggest horns of
any I found. They're designed for tandems so I had to modify the dual
control lever for a single cable. They look a little geekey but they're
very comfortable. They were a PIA to install and I'd never buy these
again.

I tried the standard Dia-Compe 287-V levers. When braking over the top
the plastic cable retainers on the tops of the levers pinched the flap
of skin between the thumb and palm after releasing the levers (much like
an M1A 1911). It's a really STUPID design!

I have a set of Shimano BR400 levers on the other bike. They work great
and they're really comfortable. There's very little difference between
these and the Shimano BR600 levers which cost up to twice as much. The
older 105, Tiagra and Ultegra levers are the same style except the 105
levers are painted silver which scratches easily.

I've seen the Dia-Compe 287 and 287-V levers priced from $15 USD to over
$70 USD. They also list their Blaze levers which appear to be smaller
than the 287 levers.

The Tektro 221A levers are very similar to the DiaCompe levers but sell
from $15 USD to $30 USD. They are not as well made as the DiaCompe
levers (which are not as nice as the Shimanos). The main part of the
levers under the rubber hoods are made of plastic.

Tektro R200A levers are similar to the Cane Creek SCR-5 and SCR-5c
levers. Both brands are knock-offs of Campy brifter levers without the
shifting feature. To me these Campy style levers all look ugly and
aren't comfortable for my hands.

As far as braking performance is concerned I see no difference over
standard old style brake lever. When aero levers first came along, they
were more of a fashion statement like shaving your legs to reduce wind
resistance! Strolling the cat walk - in lycra!

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/brake-levers-drop.html

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=2231

Chas.

 

[G.T.]

landotter wrote:
> Tony Sweeney wrote:
>> Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
>> under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
>> choice and more easily available currently.
>
>
> Another riding position, palms on the "horns" when riding Campy ergo,
> or the Tektro copies.

Yeah, that's a big reason I like them.

Greg
--
"All my time I spent in heaven
Revelries of dance and wine
Waking to the sound of laughter
Up I'd rise and kiss the sky" - The Mekons

 

[Michael Press]

In article
<[email protected]>,
"JBAFromNY" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Tony Sweeney wrote:
>
> > Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> > under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> > choice and more easily available currently.
> >
> > And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
> >
> > You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
> > outer.
>
> In practice, I don't think this is a problem -- I replace bar wraps
> once or twice a year; In the fifteen years I've owned my current bike,
> I think I've replaced the brake cable housing twice.
>
> >You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper to
> > lift a quill stem out.
>
> I've not had to do that.
>
> >
> > Not big problems I know, but problems that would make non-aero levers a
> > better choice if there are no advantages with aero levers.
>
> Return springs aside, I think there are advantages. With non-aero
> bars, the cables get caught on stuff, and generally get in the way.
> They're also more liable to getting mangled when the bike gets put in
> the trunk of a car. For a while, I had two bikes, one aero, one non-.
> Every time I rode the non-, I remember thinking, "gee, these things are
> a real PITA", and being very happy to get back to the aero levers.

I have two bicycles each with one of the systems. I
very much like not having the loops of brake cable in
the air, because I must constantly devote attention to
avoiding them. However, on the aero lever-dual pivot
caliper brakes, I do not like the higher mechanical
advantage, for some reason. Cannot explain it; perhaps
too set in my ways. Hauling on the old single pivot
calipers seems right. Perhaps it is my feeling that
brakes only slow me down, and the less braking the
better. Dual pivot brakes make it too easy to overdo
it.

--
Michael Press

 

[[email protected]]

On 14 Nov 2006 08:03:14 -0800, "Vee" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>[email protected] wrote:
>> On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:52:25 +0000, Tony Sweeney
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> >Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
>> >under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
>> >choice and more easily available currently.
>> >
>> >And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
>> >
>> >You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
>> >outer. You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper to
>> >lift a quill stem out.
>> >
>>
>> If you hit a big bump or pothole and you are on the hoods, the
>> traditional arrangement may well keep your hands on the hoods, while
>> the new-fangled types will allow them to come off - and make it more
>> likely that you will lose control and come off as well.
>
>I don't understand. Are you saying that the run of housing on old
>fashioned hoods keeps your hands in place?

Yes.

> Are you serious?

Yes.

> Is there
>some other difference between aero and non-aero hoods that I'm missing?
>

Given your questions above, quite possibly.

 

[Matt O'Toole]

On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:52:25 +0000, Tony Sweeney wrote:

> Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> choice and more easily available currently.
>
> And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
>
> You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
> outer.

For me, bar tape wears out faster than cable housings, especially brake
cable housings (which rarely have to be replaced).

Matt O.

 

[Matt O'Toole]

On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:27:03 +0000, jtaylor wrote:

> If you hit a big bump or pothole and you are on the hoods, the
> traditional arrangement may well keep your hands on the hoods, while
> the new-fangled types will allow them to come off - and make it more
> likely that you will lose control and come off as well.

Nonsense. Even without the cable there, the modern ones have a better
shape that's easier to hold on to. In practice this just doesn't happen.
If it did we'd hear about it.

Matt O.

 

[Ozark Bicycle]

Vee wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:52:25 +0000, Tony Sweeney
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > >Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> > >under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> > >choice and more easily available currently.
> > >
> > >And any disadvantages? I can think of a couple: -
> > >
> > >You have to undo or replace bar tape when you want to replace the cable
> > >outer. You might have to undo the front brake cable from the caliper to
> > >lift a quill stem out.
> > >
> >
> > If you hit a big bump or pothole and you are on the hoods, the
> > traditional arrangement may well keep your hands on the hoods, while
> > the new-fangled types will allow them to come off - and make it more
> > likely that you will lose control and come off as well.
>
> I don't understand. Are you saying that the run of housing on old
> fashioned hoods keeps your hands in place? Are you serious?

That would be sad, wouldn't it?


> Is there
> some other difference between aero and non-aero hoods that I'm missing?
>

Some people feel that braking from the tops of the hoods is more
effective with aero levers, due to the different pivot point. I'm not
sure about that, either way. Back in the mid-eighties, I replaced my
existing D-A "conventional" levers with the first generation D-A "aero"
levers.I really didn't notice a big difference braking from the tops of
the hoods, but the bike sure looked cleaner w/o those cables sticking
out in the air.

 

[David L. Johnson]

On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 14:43:04 -0500, Matt O'Toole wrote:

> On Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:27:03 +0000, jtaylor wrote:
>
>> If you hit a big bump or pothole and you are on the hoods, the
>> traditional arrangement may well keep your hands on the hoods, while
>> the new-fangled types will allow them to come off - and make it more
>> likely that you will lose control and come off as well.
>
> Nonsense. Even without the cable there, the modern ones have a better
> shape that's easier to hold on to. In practice this just doesn't happen.
> If it did we'd hear about it.

Obviously the previous responder never really used non-aero brake levers.
It is more common to bump into the cable with your hand when you hit a
pothole, which can cause you to move the bars without meaning to. Not a
good idea. There is no way exposed cables are safer.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics, I can
_`\(,_ | assure you that mine are all greater. -- A. Einstein
(_)/ (_) |

 

[[email protected]]

Tony Sweeney wrote:
> Are there any advantages to aero brake levers (with the cable routed
> under the bar tape) over 'old fashioned' levers? Apart from being more
> choice and more easily available currently.
>
> And any disadvantages?

Sheldon writes:

Æro levers are generally an improvement over the older type. The
pivots are located differently, making it possible to get fairly
serious braking from the position where the rider's hand is on top of
the lever hood. Non-æro levers would permit the use of this position
for gentle deceleration only.