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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

879.0. "Aero Style Brake Conversion" by AIMHI::JSMITH (Bikes Spoke_n Here) Sun Sep 25 1988 00:07

    I have a touring bike with the standard cantilever (sp?) brakes
    and levers with thru the top cable connections.  The cables are 
    always getting in the way and bind when I hook up my scott clip
    on bars.  I'd like to convert to side pull aero brakes but I'm not 
    sure if this is feasable, although there appears to be a single
    brake bolt hole in both the front fork and in the rear on the
    bridge that connects the stays.  At the very least, I can live
    with the brakes, but I'm wondering if aero style levers will
    work with cantilever brakes.  Anyone else tried this conversion?
    
    							Jerry
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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879.1Should be fineRDGENG::MACFADYENRoderick MacFadyenMon Sep 26 1988 08:2012
    Assuming that aero brake levers move the brake wire through the same
    distance as normal brake levers, and I think they do, I can't see any
    problem using them with cantilevers. The only slight worry might be the
    front brake: the brake cable may have to bend quite sharply between
    emerging from the handlebar tape and ending on the front brake hanger.
    Probably not, though, I'm sure you'll get away with it. 
    
    I'd put aero levers on my own touring bike if I thought I could
    get the cable underneath the Grab-on foam grips.
    
    
    Rod
879.2Cable placement under gripsCIMNET::HUPPERTMon Sep 26 1988 13:115
    re: -.1
    
    Two weeks ago I placed derailleur cable (the stainless cable for
    bar-end shifters) under Spenco handlebar grips.  I'd guess it would
    work just as well with brake cable.
879.3600 wont't workAIMHI::JSMITHBikes Spoke_n HereMon Sep 26 1988 14:159
       Since writing this note I have contacted Bike Nashbar and
they indicated that a Shimano 600 Ultegra breakset wouldn't work
on my Tour XC.  Something about the bosses and reach although the
messenger (phone operator) wasn't sure why.  Anyway it looks like
I have to go for a *levers only* solution.  Does anynone have a
set of inexpensive Aero Levers that they would like to sell?
Also, will the new SLR levers work with the canteliver brakes?

       						Jerry
879.4RDGENG::MACFADYENRoderick MacFadyenTue Sep 27 1988 08:3011
879.5Grab-Ons with cable insideSMURF::BINDERA complicated and secret quotidian existenceMon Oct 03 1988 15:1420
Re: .1, .2

> I'd put aero levers on my own touring bike if I thought I could get
> the cable underneath the Grab-on foam grips. 
    
You can.  I've had the plug shifter cables on my Proteus running through
Grab-Ons for 9 years.  The cables go inside both sections of the grips,
emerging near the stem, and they are run through standard plastic coat-
ed brake cable housing.  I just this weekend rebuilt an old Motobecane
(as a 5-speed) the same way except that I used uncoated cable housing
and only ran it through the downside grip. 

The trick is to put the cable housing through the Grab-On grips *as you 
install them* instead of trying to get it through afterward.  Get the
length and position as close to right as you can, working back and forth
as you twist the grip into position.  Coated housing can be worked into 
final position once the grips are in place - uncoated can't, because it 
stretches.

- Dick
879.6Update on aero levers with Grab-OnsSMURF::BINDERAnd the quarterback is *toast*!Thu Nov 03 1988 16:5317
Re: .1, .2, .5

>> I'd put aero levers on my own touring bike if I thought I could get
>> the cable underneath the Grab-on foam grips. 
    
> You can.  I've had the plug shifter cables on my Proteus running through
> Grab-Ons for 9 years.  The cables go inside both sections of the grips,
> emerging near the stem, and they are run through standard plastic coat-
> ed brake cable housing.  

Update time.  I just bought brand new Grab-On grips and Royal Gran Compe 
aero levers for the Proteus.  It's a fairly difficult squeeze, but I now 
have the bike with aero levers, plug shifters, and Grab-ons.  Definitely 
worth the effort - of which there is a good deal involved in getting the
brake cables settled. 

- Dick
879.7It Worked !AIMHI::JSMITHBikes Spoke_n HereTue Dec 20 1988 13:489
    Just thought that someone else out there who was considering
    this type of conversion would like a little follow up.
    I used the Shimano 600 Ultegra levers with Cinelli tape and
    I'm real happy with the results.  Levers are more sensative 
    than the old type were, probably due to the helper springs
    in the levers themselves.  Highly recommend this conversion
    to anyone bothered by exposed brake cables.  Should really
    help with installing and deinstalling handlebar bags.
    							Jerry