105 Callipers with Standard Lever?

drewone
drewone Posts: 5
edited January 2011 in Workshop
Just a quick question. I am wanting to get a 105 front calliper for my bike but wasn't sure if they would be compatible with standard brake levers, (DiaTech Dirty Harry).

Many thanks

Comments

  • PeterBL
    PeterBL Posts: 209
    The new 105 (5700) isn't compatible according to Shimano. If you do it, you could probably set it up fine, but power and/or modulation might suffer a bit. I would try to find 5600 if I were you.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Try it, you've got little to lose - Shimano have changes the cable pull/actuation ratios for their road calipers but TBH few people would notice - as long as the brake if fully-on before the lever hits the bars, they'll be OK. The only real problem lies where you try to use a road lever to operate an MTB brake as they simply don't pull enough cable to work properly.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    if your lever is a V-type lever ((pivot to nipple length of about 30-40mm) then the lever pulls too much cable for road dual pivots, and you end up with a hard lever a sod all power.

    if your lever is more like a cantilever lever (pivot to nipple length of about 20-25mm) then you'll be fine.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer

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