Re: SV: [CR] Suicide Levers

(Example: History:Norris Lockley)

From: "Jeff Slotkin" <JeffSlotkin@home.com>
To: "Jerry & Liz Moos" <moos@penn.com>
Cc: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <20001216010058.VYLU17656.femail2.sdc1.sfba.home.com@[24.176.41.28]> <03e101c06707$cea31480$461bfea9@pavilion> <v04210120b661e848c511@[10.0.1.3]> <008201c06820$d1ff8540$982869d4@oemcomputer> <3A3CC31B.7D5E6347@penn.com>
Subject: Re: SV: [CR] Suicide Levers
Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000 19:44:08 -0500


Eureka! I have several sets of these cheap-but-nice non-aero levers, and I have wondered much what the punch-out was for. Thanks, Jerry.

Jeff Slotkin
TheLocalSpoke@bigfoot.com


----- Original Message -----
From: Jerry & Liz Moos
To: Olof Stroh
Cc: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2000 8:43 AM
Subject: Re: SV: [CR] Suicide Levers



> I think the general consensus here is that these levers work OK if the
> wheels are true and cables regularly adjusted to compensate for stretch.
> The trouble with them is that they were widely sold on inexpensive bikes
> often bought by casual cyclists who neglected maintenance. By the way,
> there was a bike called the Schwinn World Voyager in the early 70's which
> was equipped with full Dura Ace, including Dura Ace centerpull brakes,
> which predated the "original" DA sidepulls. I believe the Dura Ace CPs on
> this bike had "suicide" levers. Interesting to consider Dura Ace assist
> levers. I believe Sarah actually has a pair of such levers. Didn't the
> Weinmann/Dia Comp levers attach with a screw that threaded into the side
> of the lever body? I think I've even seen Dia Comp hoods with a
> perforated circle that can be punched out for this screw. How does one
> attach assist levers to Campy brake levers?
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
>
> Olof Stroh wrote:
>
> > Sheldon and others,
> >
> > A personal example that might have general implications:
> >
> > I ride my bikes with traditional non-aero levers, Superbes and
> > Triomphes. I reach them from the drops, I can squeeze them
> > easily from above just stretching a couple of fingers over them.
> > No problem.
> >
> > But my wife is a lot shorter than I am. She is well trained, but her
> > hands are nonetheless smaller and weaker. The NRs on her
> > beloved Colnago Super didn´t suit her. Not from the tops, nor
> > from the drops. But she is a strong rider, uses frequently all
> > positions of her drop bars,she wouldn´t be well served by a
> > "hybrid" with straight bars and high position, she wants and takes
> > advantage of a first class road bike.
> >
> > We have - shame - installed Shimano death grips. They are cheap
> > and I have looked upon such paraphernalia with a very lifted nose,
> > but they function well and are quite easy to install with full braking
> > power (using NR calipers). Comfortable to use and her position
> > braking is still more balanced than on the usual utility bike when
> > braking hard.
> >
> > Having found this: are they really so bad? Properly made and
> > installed? What is a rider in her position to do? (Granted, we
> > have got smaller aero Dia-Compes from fellow list member Mark
> > Koepke, are yet to try these, but the question still remains).
> >
> > BTW Sheldon, you´ve got me, I will order a fixed hub and try.
> >
> > Olof Stroh
> > Uppsala Sweden