Crosstop Brake Levers
Thread started by
Purp at 04.6.09 - 11:46 am
Any experience with these? Crosstop Levers that let you brake from the top of drop bars.
Do you run cable out of the front brake levers into the back of the Crosstop levers, then out from the front of the Crosstops again?
How do they work, is there a set screw that grabs the brake cable?
Easy to install if you can already install normal brake levers?
Any good/cheap brands/makes?
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i had one (different brand) when i bought my fixed gear. i took it off and eventually sold it to someone in venice. i hate seeing road bikes with four different brake levers.
ruinedbyidiots04.6.09 - 11:49 am
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what the hell, cross bikes are all about the "a bunch of shit" aesthetic. save your "grind off the cable stops" look for the brakeless
Purp04.6.09 - 12:39 pm
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ahem....have them on my CX bike and my touring bike.
comfort and preference issue on the tourer- i like to ride with drop bars but after many miles its nice to mosey up top and not have to reach down if i have to brake
as for the CX bike that a long and ongoing debate and for me they have come in handy, have made the difference in races, and cater to my riding style.
my two cents...
as for the brakes.
relatively easy to install....use the same cable and cut the housing where you want them on your bars and then thread the cable back through. you can find tutorials online. if not come into the bike kitchen on a wed. and i'll help you out.
bicioso04.6.09 - 12:40 pm
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Rbi I find that comment ofensive >=[
My road bike has 4 brake levers,2 cross top brake levers and 2 on the drop part of the handle bars.
But I gotta admit,I use my cross top brake levers more
madmike04.6.09 - 12:57 pm
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I'm all about the bunch of shit aesthetic, even on my fixed. So I don't know what you're talking about.
toweliesbong04.6.09 - 1:01 pm
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psssh thats another what 600 grams each? no thx.
_iJunes04.6.09 - 1:35 pm
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lots of lower end road bikes come with those cross levers as well as drop levers. im glad youre offended madmike.
ruinedbyidiots04.6.09 - 1:41 pm
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600 grams is like over a pound..
they weigh a couple houses. if you use them inline with another brake lever, they work by being inserted in the cable housing so you pull it, it pulls the cable housing longer, thus pulling the brake cable.
if you're really afraid to use your brake hoods or something i guess they're good, obviously they look a little bit dorky but whatever. if you can't use the proper hand position on your bike though you might need a shorter stem or handlebar.
you could also use them without another brake lever, good if you have chopped road bars or something.
they do not weigh 2 pounds a set. probably any brand is fine, i got some Origin 8 ones for like $20 for two...
stevestevesteve04.6.09 - 1:50 pm
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they are the similar as the old school brakes on d'em older bikes.
only a few of us are on that level where 1 house will actually make a difference in performance.
actually, i'm planning to get a fixed biked on the heaver side so I can build up my legs on social rides.
aksendz04.6.09 - 2:22 pm
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I use em, I like em, but they don't have nearly the stopping power of a good drop-bar mounted hood brake. FYI, the ones from Nashbar are super cheap.
0gravity04.6.09 - 2:24 pm
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@0gravity, what kind of handle bars are those?
66604.6.09 - 2:34 pm
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i wasnt aware that levers had anything to do with stopping power (unless the cables arent tight where they connect to the lever) i thought it was all how the brake was mounted. fork blade mount vs fork crown mount.
ruinedbyidiots04.6.09 - 2:49 pm
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"i wasnt aware that levers had anything to do with stopping power"
Leverage around the pivot point is a factor, hence adjustable and/or moving pivot points on some mtn bike levers.
toweliesbong04.6.09 - 3:12 pm
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Options are good and having four places you can use to stop your bike is a great invention...
Debut21304.6.09 - 3:49 pm
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@ 666
Bars are Nashbar time trial bars with about 2 inches sawed off. They're really affordable ($25) but straight out of the box they are too long, IMHO, so hacksawed a bit off the ends.
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175554_-1_16500_10000_17005
0gravity04.6.09 - 4:33 pm
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dont you have those suicide brakes Chynna?
Gav04.6.09 - 5:11 pm
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ya suicide breaks, thats what i meant.
aksendz04.6.09 - 8:11 pm
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I have one on my fixed, and I like it. Since I have short, straight handle bars with bmx grips, it it the most comfortable thing.
Also, I put one on my lady's bike because she prefers to ride with her hands near the stem. It comes down to personal preference.
SPOOK04.6.09 - 8:30 pm
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@0gravity,
cool, i think i'll buy one haha. your brakes look a bit sketchy though... is it me, or does it look like your brakes push the housing to brake? i dunno
66604.6.09 - 10:34 pm
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my suicide brake is more like a emergency-brake.
rayrayray04.6.09 - 10:38 pm
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had the four break set up on an old bike I once rode. It was so awesome. Had total control over the bike. Never worried about anybody not holding their line. Could stop so quick and easy.
People that say they don't like them on this thread are the same ones that complain about people swerving in front of them. None or less breaks give you less control of your bike.
It is also great if you are carrying a sack of grocery or whatever. Can ride one handed and reach down quick if you need to slow or stop.
If weight is not an issue get them. I highly recommend.
Like Steve3 was saying. where the break cable comes out of the top of your drop (horn) bars. Run the break cables through the extra break lever and out to break like you normally would on STI break/shifters or breaks.
sexy04.7.09 - 12:49 am
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--ahem--
I personally don't run cheater levers on my cross bike when I race cyclocross (anyone, anyone??) but...
..the guys that do, use them if there's a steep down hill so you can get back on the bike more and still have braking control, or if the course is really really bumpy because riding on the tops is way more comfortable over rough terrain.
Also, you'll see some road bikes in the paris roubaix set up the same way because of the cobbles.
e-rock04.7.09 - 1:18 pm
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ahem....cheater levers? how dare you sir!
i demand satisfaction!
pistols at dawn?
knives at sunset?
puerto rican bitch slapping at midnight?
back rubs at my place?
but yeah total comfort issue and makes it easy to lift the front wheel over the bumps and still keep control over the "whip" if i need to brake quick on a technical course.
i would challenge you to a bike dual but i know your tiger claw style defeats my monkey paw.....
and ur also pretty good at kickball.
bicioso04.7.09 - 8:34 pm
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-->
Ridazz Roulette!
Kinda like "suicide brakes".