Saturday 22 December 2012

Specialized Cyclo Cross Top Brake Levers Review

Specialized Cyclo Cross Top Brake Levers Review - Overview

I purchased a pair of these levers for use on a bike with v brakes. I didn't have much success. I think they are designed for use with cantilever or claiper brakes normally found on proper road bikes.


The levers had a 31.8 mm clamp which means they are mounted right next to the stem on the bars (ritchey comp drop bars) I used. Cables from the levers "clash" with each other on exit owing to this closeness of fiting.

Your brakes will need to have a very strong return spring to use these levers, when used with drop levers and a rear mechanical disk brake (CMD-8), the resultant combined drag on cable outer may mean the brake caliper does not fully open when lever is released.

Specialized Cyclo Cross Top Brake Levers Review - Features

As I have said they have a 31.8 mm clamp with a hinge so you can fit them without removing other controls and tape etc. They has a grub adjuster for reach, but no adjustment for effective cable length. They do not have enough cable pull for v brakes.

 Specialized Cyclo Cross Top Brake Levers Review - Conclusions

These were the wrong levers for me to buy, "my bad" as they say. Otherwise they seam well made and an elegant solution to providing an extra braking position. If you have caliper / cantilever brakes they may work for you, but not if you have v-brakes or MTB specific disk brakes.

Flood Risk


Specialized Cyclo Cross Top Brake Levers
Reviewed by Kermit Green on Dec 22 2012
Rating: 3.7

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