Tektro Brake Lever question

[malkin]

I have short reach levers and travel agents on my CrossCheck and I love it.


My hands aren't particularly small, but.. in terms of strength, I sometimes get tired playing piano... and my joints have all been performing (mostly) reliable service for over a half century.

I'll put up a pic of the brake set up if you are interested.

[Catrin]

I have short reach levers and travel agents on my CrossCheck and I love it.


My hands aren't particularly small, but.. in terms of strength, I sometimes get tired playing piano... and my joints have all been performing (mostly) reliable service for over a half century.

I'll put up a pic of the brake set up if you are interested.

Yes, that would be great! I DO have a small touch of arthritis in my hands - I am unsure if this is part of the equation or not. I've noticed that after about an hour on my Trek 7.6 my hands start acting up, though nothing like what 2 miles did on my LHT There are likely multiple things going on here, including posture.

[malkin]

K.
I'll pass it on to Brewer and he'll probably get pics up for you tomorrow.


I'm not sure if it's arthritis or not for me (who am I kidding? Of course it's arthritis if it isn't something more weird) but the big joint of my thumb is sometimes uncooperative and my wrists would generally prefer to stay in where it's safe, warm, and there's no pressure.

[brewer]

Here is the solution I worked out for Malkin. I wanted to acheive maximum braking power using a short-reach road lever with minimum effort. So I assembled the following components:
1) Cane Creek SCR 5C levers (http://www.canecreek.com/component-o...=levers-scr-5c),
2) Cane Creek Direct Curve 3 Brakes (MTB V-style http://www.canecreek.com/component-o...direct-curve-3),
3) ProblemSolvers TravelAgent (http://www.problemsolversbike.com/pd...avel_agent.pdf).

The levers provide short-reach, the V-brakes provide maximum braking power. In order to get the road levers to work with the MTB brakes, the TravelAgent is required because the V-brakes require a greater pull than can be accomplished with the road levers. A side benefit is that there is a leverage effect that results in less effort required for a LOT of braking power. The trikiest bit of the assembly is installing the TravelAgents. If you aren't experienced, have your LBS do this for you. Really.

Cheers!
Brewer

[Catrin]

Here is the solution I worked out for Malkin. I wanted to acheive maximum braking power using a short-reach road lever with minimum effort. So I assembled the following components:

1) Cane Creek SCR 5C levers (http://www.canecreek.com/component-o...=levers-scr-5c),
2) Cane Creek Direct Curve 3 Brakes (MTB V-style http://www.canecreek.com/component-o...direct-curve-3),
3) ProblemSolvers TravelAgent (http://www.problemsolversbike.com/pd...avel_agent.pdf).

The levers provide short-reach, the V-brakes provide maximum braking power. In order to get the road levers to work with the MTB brakes, the TravelAgent is required because the V-brakes require a greater pull than can be accomplished with the road levers. A side benefit is that there is a leverage effect that results in less effort required for a LOT of braking power. The trikiest bit of the assembly is installing the TravelAgents. If you aren't experienced, have your LBS do this for you. Really.

Cheers!
Brewer

Brewer,

I certainly am not experienced enough right now to do anything other than change an inner tube - so I wouldn't try this. My LHT has cantilever brakes currently. I have been wondering about a different style lever, and possibly bars, should my problem continue. I greatly appreciate this information and if our initial efforts don't solve my problem this just might be the way to go. I will find out if these levers are more compact than the Tekro r100a levers that were supposed to have come with my bike. Thanks for the information!

[sarahspins]

I don't know if it matters but the tekro's are exactly the same as the Cane Creeks.. they are made in the same factory, with the same parts, the only difference is the branding and the hoods (cane creeks have little embossed lizards all over them, the tekros have more of a fine pebbly texture)... and the tektros cost less

[malkin]

Funny thing about the lizards is that I'd been riding with them on the tandem for over a year when I got contacts and could finally see them!

[Catrin]

I don't know if it matters but the tekro's are exactly the same as the Cane Creeks.. they are made in the same factory, with the same parts, the only difference is the branding and the hoods (cane creeks have little embossed lizards all over them, the tekros have more of a fine pebbly texture)... and the tektros cost less

Thanks for the information - this is helpful!