Dual brake levers

[Sir Neil d'Menture]

Secondary levers were never used by "proper" cyclists. They were a danger to all and sundry.
Get rid of them ASAP and learn how to use the brakes as they should be used.

 

[Midlife]

Helped sell a lot of bikes in the 70's . Raleigh called them GT levers or safety levers

 

[Sir Neil d'Menture]

Helped sell a lot of bikes in the 70's . Raleigh called them GT levers or safety levers

Indeed, but what was safe about them?

 

[Midlife]

Indeed, but what was safe about them?

I worked in a Raleigh 5 Star Dealer, the official line was that it was quicker to brake and that by not riding on the drops with your head down you didn't run into things like parked cars.....

 

[chambo34]

That particular version of safety lever wasn't that bad, it was to slow you down rather than full on stop you, the drop levers did a decent ish job though especially if coupled with well set up Weinmann centre pulls. No one is going to pretend they were as good as modern twin pivots or discs but they were OK for the time , they certainly stopped my 13 stone and Carlton Corsair up in the Derbyshire Peak District bitd anyhow!

 

[Libraryman2]

Yes i would agree with that point of view, they are usable if you respect the shortcomings compared to modern brakes,

Regards Ray

 

[non-fixie]

While I would not put them on a racing machine, those secondary levers serve a purpose on a touring bike where you would spend a lot of time riding on the tops.

Mrs non-fixie likes them, so I have done some research to find out which work best. Of the ones I have tested the Shimano DEL-80 were the best. They flex significantly less than the earlier Shimano versions and their Weinmann and Dia-Compe counterparts.



As fitted on mrs non-fixie's Méral randonneur:

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Steel auxiliary levers on the Shimano from memory, which would be stiffer than ali. Make sense on a tourer. That said I have never used them. I ride on the hoods and find them uncomfortable.

 

[Libraryman2]

Some great information there, a little research re: availability will be useful to me.

Thanks Ray

 

[Woz]

Got vague memories of reading that they also had something to do with the USA cycle safety regulations for the masses.

Don't quote me, could be wrong, and can't find the source off hand.