Using cross/inline levers with V-Brakes

[Andy in Germany]

Does anyone have experience of using cross/inline levers with standard V-Brakes? We have a lot of hills here and it would be nice to have an extra set of brakes to grab.

I asked this question on a post buried in my "Converting an MTB to drop bars thread" and @Gravity Aided kindly posted an example of Cane Creek levers working. Google is silent on the matter.

Does anyone else have any thoughts before I go and spend money? Is it just Cane Creek that work, or are they generally compatible?

 

[vickster]

On a road bike? Yes - I get the Tektro ones which come in different sizes depending on the diameter of the bars

Eg https://www.evanscycles.com/tektro-rl720-brake-levers-EV314612

 

[Andy in Germany]

On a road bike? Yes - I get the Tektro ones which come in different sizes depending on the diameter of the bars

Eg https://www.evanscycles.com/tektro-rl720-brake-levers-EV314612

The frame is an MTB but it has drop bars. Is that what you means as a "road bike"?

If interrupter brakes work with V's it would make descents easier for the Elder Son when he rides it.

 

[vickster]

The frame is an MTB but it has drop bars. Is that what you means as a "road bike"?

If interrupter brakes work with V's it would make descents easier for the Elder Son when he rides it.

Yes. I meant drop bars. I have on 4/5 drop bar bikes (also with mechanical discs)

 

[vickster]

Just to mention, the braking possibly isn’t as strong as off the brifters but it’s never been an issue in traffic (or descending but I’m pretty cautious and I don’t generally encounter many steep hills)

 

[Andy in Germany]

Thanks for the help. Another question: My bars seem to ba either 25.5mm or 23.5mm, and the brakes seem to have collars starting at 24mm

For a carpenter 0.5mm is solved with a quick tap with a hammer, how critical is it in metal?

 

[vickster]

Absolutely no idea. The LBS always fit for me. I’m about as technically minded as a lump of wood

 

[Gravity Aided]

Thanks for the help. Another question: My bars seem to ba either 25.5mm or 23.5mm, and the brakes seem to have collars starting at 24mm

For a carpenter 0.5mm is solved with a quick tap with a hammer, how critical is it in metal?

Better to go 25.5 and shim.

 

[andrew_s]

If the brakes are proper V-brakes (rather than mini), you want the Tektro RL740 (24.0 mm clamp) or RL741 (31.8 mm clamp) interrupter/cross brakes.
These pull sufficient cable, unlike the RL720/721/726 levers, which are "road" pull for caliper or cantilever brakes.
The RL72x levers would need the brake blocks running very close to the rim to be usable, with consequent very frequent adjustment.
(my experience is of using both RL741 and RL721 levers with BB7 Mtn discs)

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-levers/tektro-rl740-top-mount-v-brake-lever-240mm-clamp/
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-levers/tektro-rl741-top-mount-v-brake-lever-318mm-clamp/

 

[Andy in Germany]

If the brakes are proper V-brakes (rather than mini), you want the Tektro RL740 (24.0 mm clamp) or RL741 (31.8 mm clamp) interrupter/cross brakes.
These pull sufficient cable, unlike the RL720/721/726 levers, which are "road" pull for caliper or cantilever brakes.
The RL72x levers would need the brake blocks running very close to the rim to be usable, with consequent very frequent adjustment.
(my experience is of using both RL741 and RL721 levers with BB7 Mtn discs)

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-levers/tektro-rl740-top-mount-v-brake-lever-240mm-clamp/
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-levers/tektro-rl741-top-mount-v-brake-lever-318mm-clamp/

Many thanks. I'll have to wait a bit as we've been spending too much money on bike parts this month, but I'll keep those bookmarked...