fitting front brake on track bike

oldwelshman

Hi.
Does anyone know where I can get a larger brake lever clamp than the ones in normal brake levers?
I am trying to fit a front brake on my track bike and am using a standard front lever but the clamp is too small to slide over the handlebar with tape on and I want to be able to fit and remove it easily so ideally want the clip to slide over bar tape.
Any ideas?

Bronzie

Hi Dave, how you doing?

Most road brake levers can be completely unscrewed from the clamp/band that actually goes around the bar itself - why not fit the clamp under the tape, leave just enough tape out to expose the bolt hole, then you can clamp the lever on and off as you like. If you use at the track, all you'll have is a small bump and hole in the tape where the clamp sits underneath.

Either that or fit an MTB lever to the tops of the bar which has a clam-shell clamp that can be split in 2 halves.

rustychisel

Bronzie wrote:

Either that or fit an MTB lever to the tops of the bar which has a clam-shell clamp that can be split in 2 halves.

OW, this is by far the better option for whipping on and off... presuming you ride to a velodrome with track gearing fitted?

When I convert my bike back to track work it takes about 10 minutes... undo stem bolt and brake claiper nut, put in pista bars and attached stem; undo 5 x 5mm chainring bolts and exchange chainring; remove and change over to longer chain, retension back wheel. Done.

Bronzie

rustychisel wrote:

.. undo stem bolt and brake claiper nut, put in pista bars and attached stem

So you carry a spare pair of bars with you to the track? Ok I guess if you wear a ruck sack to the track.

Monty Dog

Cyclo-cross style bar top levers are ideal - has a split clamp to fit round the bars

oldwelshman

Bronzie wrote:

Hi Dave, how you doing?

Most road brake levers can be completely unscrewed from the clamp/band that actually goes around the bar itself - why not fit the clamp under the tape, leave just enough tape out to expose the bolt hole, then you can clamp the lever on and off as you like. If you use at the track, all you'll have is a small bump and hole in the tape where the clamp sits underneath.

Either that or fit an MTB lever to the tops of the bar which has a clam-shell clamp that can be split in 2 halves.

Hi Bronzie, doing OK, done a few miles last 2 weeks so getting back into it :-)
I will give it a go with the tape over the clamp and see how it looks, migh have to tape over it to go on track though.
I am doing this so I can go out on road in winter for a few miles.

Weather permitting might even get out with you lot on Sunday

Bronzie

oldwelshman wrote:

Weather permitting might even get out with you lot on Sunday

Don't bother THIS Sunday (11/Nov) as most of us are off on the lash to Stow-on-the-Wold for our annual hostel weekend trip - there may be a few stragglers still turn up for the club run, but wouldn't want you to ride up there to find noody about!

oldwelshman

Ah cheers, will wait a coupl eof weeks then. Off to wales next week, on the boards friday and some hilly ride somewhere on the weekend

Smokin Joe

Even if you can clamp the brake over the tape it is not a good idea. It is quite likey slip just when you need it most.