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Brake Lever Types
Brake levers (handles) for use with cable-operated brakes come in 4 basic types.
The differences depend on the handlebar type they are to be used with, and on the amount of cable travel required:
- Upright Handlebar, Standard Pull
- Drop Handlebar, Standard Pull
- Upright Handlebar, Long Pull
- Drop Handlebar, Long Pull
Handlebar Type
Levers for drop ("road" "racing") handlebars curve toward the handlebar, to follow the curvature of the handlebar. These levers have mounting clamps to fit the 23.8 mm (15/16") diameter of almost all drop handlebars.
Levers for upright ("mountain" "cruiser" "BMX") handlebars mount on a straight section of the handlebar, and the lever curves away from the bar for better clearance. These levers have mounting clamps to fit the 22.2 mm (7/8") diameter of almost all upright handlebars.
Cable Pull
Standard pull levers are designed to work with caliper brakes or traditional centerpull cantilever brakes.
Long pull levers are designed to work with "direct-pull" cantilever brakes, such as Shimano "V-Brakes" ®
Direct pull cantilevers have twice as much mechanical advantage as traditional brakes, so they require a lever with half as much mechanical advantage. Long pull levers pull the cable twice as far, but only half as hard.
Mismatched Lever Issues:
Old short-pull lever, new direct pull ("V type") cantilever
The excessive mechanical advantage of this combination will make it difficult to modulate the brake, and it may be all too easy to lock up the wheel.
The lever feel will be very soft and mushy.
The lever will travel too far before engaging the brake, and it may bottom out against the handlebar. Thus, the brake may be super-powerful at first, but as the brake shoes wear, the lever's bumping up against the handlebar will prevent full application. This is likely to be a particular problem in wet conditions.
New long-pull lever, old caliper or traditional cantilever
The reduced mechanical advantage will require unusually high hand strength to get barely adequate braking force.
Paradoxically, the lever will feel very solid, the brake will engage with a very short amount of lever travel...but won't actually be squeezing very hard on the rim.
Most disc brakes are designed for long-pull levers, but discs designated as "road" models are usually compatible with traditional short-pull levers.
There are stepped pulley devices to permit mixing otherwise incompatible levers/brakes. The best known is the QBP Travel Agent ®.
