What is the nicest aero brake lever out there now? I’m going to pair it with an easton attack tt bar and currently have the FSA crab claw brakes on a vision base bar. I could just get the adapters but I’m pretty sure that is not the most elegant solution.
I have the Easton Attack bars…and the Bontrager Brake Levers look GREAT with it. That…and they have a massive return-spring which gives them the added ability to be able to stop a bike!!
light as hell too. I think I found a pic…sorry if it sucks.
I’ll second that choice.
X3 for Bonty.
What does the return spring have to do with stopping the bike?
I was kinda leaning towards the SRAM TT, I’m surprised nobody has brought them up. I’m not sure if I understand the return spring comment either, I agree they are nice because you don’t have to work as hard to set your cables up, but am dubious as to added stopping power from a return spring.
what the the zipp levers? light…seem aero…return spring. and how about the sram levers…also light…seem aero…and i think they have a return spring as well.
good catch, that was pre coffee
lots of brakes don’t ‘open’ easily after closing on a rim. This can be due to corrosion in the brake, a poorly designed brake, or improper cable routing/friction in the brake line. The return spring helps assure that the brakes will ‘open’ back up after being used. This makes sure the brake pad isn’t rubbing against the rim un-necessarily and robbing you of power.
sheesh
I’ve never liked a return spring at all. The spring in the caliper should pull the brake lever open. If it doesn’t either the cable friction is too high or the brake spring is too weak. A light spring in the brake level might prevent a little bit of rattling, but need a strong spring is only hiding an installation problem.
Styrrell
true…but if you use weird center pull or crazy light brakes as many people in this forum do, they don’t always open up easily even when the cable is routed perfectly.
I use Profile QS Carbon. Maybe not as aero as the Vision levers, but better than the OEM-spec Dia Compes. Comfortable to use and with a nice return spring.
Like most things, there is no perfect brake =)
The FSA crab claw is the lightest and most aero. You get used to the pain, but it usually develops a rattle. A clever fix for it, that of course adds a teeny bit of weight, is cut a piece of bike tube and run it up over the lever until it covers that tiny silver metal bit that is doing the rattle.
also acts as a return spring.
The FSA crab claw is the lightest and most aero. You get used to the pain, but it usually develops a rattle. A clever fix for it, that of course adds a teeny bit of weight, is cut a piece of bike tube and run it up over the lever until it covers that tiny silver metal bit that is doing the rattle.
also acts as a return spring.
Exactly. I don’t understand all the griping about the discomfort of these brakes, but I don’t live where I have any long descents to negotiate. I’m rarely on the brakes. The Vision crab claw is so minimal and, as you say, its rattles and return issues are easily solved with a tiny piece from an old inner tube. My only real beef with them is that you have to use Vision brake cables with them. I’m always playing with bike setups and often end up stymied because I don’t have the right brake cable to finish a job. Regardless, these are excellent little brakes. I’ll bet dollars to donuts they weigh a lot less than the Bonty brakes. … Actually, I just looked it up. 120 grams for a pair of Bonty XXX Lite levers and 75 grams for a pair of VisionTech crab claws.
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Ok, let me ask a slightly different question. Will the crab claws work with an easton attack tt bar? I was sort of under the impression that it wouldn’t, but if the clamp is too big then I’ve got a coke can in the fridge that would love to become shims on my bike.
it should work, the clamp on the vision brake has lots of ‘adjustment’ room.
Ok, let me ask a slightly different question. Will the crab claws work with an easton attack tt bar?
Click on my screen name and go to my profile. Then click on any of the photos of me on my bike. Vision crab claws on my Easton Attack TT bars. No special adaptations. They go right on there, nice and neat.
good deal. Thanks for the help.
x4. The return spring is awesome, the levers are comfy and the right size, and they don’t rattle at all. Great price in alloy as well.
FWIW- I’ve had the Dia Compe, Syntace, and VT lever prior. I am staying with these from now on. They really are great.
I was kinda leaning towards the SRAM TT, I’m surprised nobody has brought them up. I’m not sure if I understand the return spring comment either, I agree they are nice because you don’t have to work as hard to set your cables up, but am dubious as to added stopping power from a return spring.
I loved my SRAM Carbon TT - but they are for external cable routing, and thus, will not work with my Blackwell Concorde bar -
“My only real beef with them is that you have to use Vision brake cables with them. I’m always playing with bike setups and often end up stymied because I don’t have the right brake cable to finish a job.”
Just use a shifter cable, it’s the same head.