Flat Bars and V-Brake Levers on a Raliegh Nova ?

BorisSpencer

This year the off-road route to work has been so overgrown and muddy I can't use it, therefore I have been using an alternative route through quiet streets to get across town. Also this year due to the weather we have been having my bike is often to dirty to use for work.

Therefore I decided to look for something I could use as a dedicated commuter, and whilst getting the mower out of the shed I realised I could use my old Raliegh. This must be late 70s vintage but it has been stored in the dry and hanging off the ground for the last 20 years. Well I pumped up the tyres put a bit of lube on the chain and went for a spin round the block.

Sheeeeet that's frightening, how do roadies do it, I was effectively riding this twitchy nervous thing with what amounted to 12" bars.

So to my question, I have some old flat bars in the garage with a pair of V-brake levers, can I stick them on or will they have completely the wrong pull for the old sidepull brakes ?

supersonic

They pull more cable, and usually makes the brakes feel very wooden and un modulated.

Andy

I believe the levers will have too much pull for the brakes so wouldnt advise it.

I'd like the likes of Nicklouse to confirm or correct me on this as im not 100%.

BorisSpencer

Cheers guys that was quick. I have got a pair of levers that I could use, unfortunately they are white plastic and on my daughters old bike. :oops:

If I'm doing a bit of junkyard browsing will canti-brake levers pull the right amount ?

PS Super have you had your post count re-instated or is there simply nothing else to do in a soggy Shefffeld.

supersonic

Yeah, was bored, made 22000 posts in a week! Nah, the good people behind the scenes have reinstated a lot ot peoples posts.

Canti levers should pull the correct amount. By all means try the V brake levers, but I think they will feel harsh.