Changed to metal brake levers - front brakes don't work as well

[Deleted member 20519]

The title says it all really. I removed my metal brake levers from another bike and switched them for the plastic ones I had on. They work fine but the front brake just doesn't work properly. The cable is tight and it was working fine with the plastic levers but now I just don't get as much stopping power.

Any ideas why?

 

[derrick]

What type of brake is it.

 

[boydj]

Levers could have different amounts of cable pull depending on the type of brakes they are designed to work with.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

What type of brake is it.

Cantilever/Center Pull

 

[derrick]

Are both brakes of the same type.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Are both brakes of the same type.

Yes.

 

[Recycler]

Are the metal levers shorter?

 

[Andy_R]

What about the brakes on the other bike, are they canti's too?

 

[sidevalve]

If you've swapped like for like then there can be no difference. There can only be other factors involved other than the material of the levers. If you've swapped both levers and only one is affected then try swapping them over front - back. If the prob moves it's the lever, if not it's something else. Finally is it a real problem or simply that you need to get used to the feel of the new levers ? Tiny changes in geometry can make big changes in brake "feel" and power but I'd try the swap over first to narrow it all down.

 

[derrick]

Some pics of both sets of brakes may help.