Best Non Aero levers and cantilevers

[doctor-bond]

Agree about the Tektro 720s - not made anymore though so NOS stocks are low most places. Dia Compe 980s look equally easy to set up.

Very true; 980s are great (I run them on my Stumpjumper) and are arguably prettier and more fitting for classic builds.

 

[Tommy27]

https://freshtripe.co.uk/dia-compe-gran-compe-roller-straddle-cable-hanger/

Does anyone know if theses actually make brakes more effective?

 

[non-fixie]

https://freshtripe.co.uk/dia-compe-gran-compe-roller-straddle-cable-hanger/

Does anyone know if theses actually make brakes more effective?

I have tried them, and found they felt rather mushy. Didn't like that. Went back to MAFAC hangers. YMMV, though.

What I've just mounted on one of mrs non-fixie's bikes are these Power Hangers.

They do feel pretty solid, and I'm tempted to try a set on one of my own bikes:

 

[Tommy27]

Will forget about those, maybe the originals were set up in a different fashion that actually worked?

 

[Tommy27]

Going back to levers, what year was the SLR launched?

 

[LondonClassic]

I think it was 1050 in 1986/7.

 

[Tommy27]

Ok so that's kind of too late for what I'm looking for personally.

Though if they really are much better than say the Universal or Mafac levers maybe I need to just accept that and looks for some non aero SLR levers?

 

[Glug]

I like the Weinmann AG drilled levers:
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=B4CA83EE-23D9-4FDE-9AE9-CDE3F58E22BA&Enum=118&AbsPos=7

There's one variation with quick release which just gives enough room to remove my 28mm tubulars.



NB. You can set the toe-in on the Mafac Racers by making a new set of washers and adjusting them, similar to the Rene Herse ones but way cheaper.

 

[Tommy27]

Classic, and much loved by contemporary racers from the Low Countries, was to combine MAFAC brakes with Universal levers.

Here's a certain Eddy Merckx, showing that combination on his "Peugeot":

View attachment 899040

Joop Zoetemelk, with the same combination:

View attachment 899041

Tempted by this combination, I take it they used this because it was the most effective combination on the short, steep descents and cobbled/ rough surfaces they raced on.

 

[Tommy27]

@non-fixie

Would you say the Universal Levers/ Mafac combination is more effective then?