Custom brake levers

[lieutenant waffle]

This isn't exactly DIY, but it is a bit custom.

These are Avid speed dial SL levers. They solid, high quality, adjustable levers that make mechanical brakes an all around better experience. The only way to get better than this is to go with hydros.

One of the things that makes these brake levers better than most OEM pieces is that their leverage is adjustable. That red screw on the front adjust how far the wire is drawn when the lever is moved. By making the lever draw more cord, I can allow my brake pads to be further from the rotor to ensure that no contact is made accidentally while still having a very responsive braking setup.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2264426972_901d3fbf85.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2264426968_b7ea991ab5.jpg

[robotguy]

How much does a pair of those set you back?

[lieutenant waffle]

How much does a pair of those set you back?

They came as a pair for $60, but I was pretty picky. Even a $25 pair is a vast improvement over OEM. I wonder if I can post a link to these (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BL708A02-Cane+Creek+Direct+Curve+Brake+ Levers.aspx) since they are not sold by a competitor of any of the sponsors?? They are pretty awesome looking and would have been my second choice.

[robotguy]

Would those make the old version Goped brakes work ok?
My old style brakes could barely stop me down a hill.

[lieutenant waffle]

Would those make the old version Goped brakes work ok?
My old style brakes could barely stop me down a hill.

I'm not sure about the wheel caliper or pre-maddog disc brakes, but they all follow the same theory. If you can get a solid pull and efficiently move more cord, you can put more effective friction down.

I'd highly recommend this upgrade for all Goped scooters. It is really the only bolt-on upgrade to improve performance.

Just make sure you order the number of levers you need. Most of the levers come in pairs while many Gopeds only have one set of brakes.

[markshelfer]

The only way to get better than this is to go with hydros.



That is not actually true. A couple of my friends had hydraulic brakes on their mountain bikes, and it was a huge hassle, and nothing more. Disc brakes are far superior to v brakes, but for a bike, all you need is cable discs. The point of hydraulic brakes is to allow you to stop bigger things. on a car or a motorcycle, it makes sense. But on a goped or a bike, it is just one more thing to break. I remember one time one of his brake lines spring the tiniest leak, for no reason, and he had absolutely now stopping power in his back brake. So stick with cable discs, its much better for peds and bikes.

[lieutenant waffle]

The point of hydraulic brakes is to allow you to stop bigger things.

Actually, the cool thing about the hydros is that there is absolutely now slack in the play since the fluid cannot be compressed. The cables and levers, on the other hand, can stretch and bend.

That is actually the killer problem with the stock Evo brakes. They bend under pressure which makes them feel sloppy. The bike calipers have much less flex and feel much more responsive.

I remember one time one of his brake lines spring the tiniest leak, for no reason, and he had absolutely now stopping power in his back brake.

That is a bummer. I've had a really good experience with the hayes hydros on my Fisher MTB. They work beautifully and I have done zero maintenance in 3 years.

[markshelfer]

Well, that's good that they worked for you. But if it were my choice, I would use cable brakes, with thicker gauge cable to minimize stretching. But that is just what I would do. But it sure does look nice.:D

[lieutenant waffle]

Well, that's good that they worked for you. But if it were my choice, I would use cable brakes, with thicker gauge cable to minimize stretching. But that is just what I would do. But it sure does look nice.:D

Hmmm... It never occurred to me to give thicker gauge cable a try. It would demonstrate of the problem is more in the caliper or the cable. I might pick some up to test out the next time I make an order for bike stuff.

I think I might try to modify the stock Evo calipers to see if I can get them to stop flexing as well.

...more on that when I get around to it. :D

[z50king]

i love my Shimano XTR levers. they just feel the best