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Looking at these to build a bombproof no failure bike and looking at mechanical stuff rather than hydraulic.
Looking at some BB5's on the On-one sale but it says compatibility 'Road Levers'
Do road levers have a different pull length?
I'd be using them with some old 2 finger XT levers but may also switch to some Shim 105 STi Road levers?
Is there a massive difference?
There is a significant difference, the correct pull levers are cheaply available though.
Do road levers have a different pull length?
Yes. If you've ever tried using MTB mechanical discs with road levers (*waves*) you'll know how much difference it makes, in a bad way.
Thanks for the PSA though... (wanders off to On-One site)
The road ones with current (well, generally 1996ish+) mtb brake levers will feel very wooden - mtb brake levers have more cable pull.
Define 'old XT levers' - If they're old enough (pre '96) then they'd be fine.
What is the 'significant difference' will they not work with what I've already got?
XT levers designed for 'V' Brakes
105 STi designer for road rim brakes
???
V-levers pull more cable and will feel really stiff.
What is the 'significant difference' will they not work with what I've already got?XT levers designed for 'V' Brakes
105 STi designer for road rim brakes???
Well, they'll work fine with the 105 STI's - as clubber says, they'll feel wooden with the XT V levers as you'll have very little lever travel before the pads bite/very little modulation due to the difference in pull ratios.
EDIT - CRC are doing the MTB BB5's for only £2-a-brake more in their sale......
So with that logic the Road BB5s will require less pull to work?
Seen the CRC ones, just thinking about future proof, may run flat bars may try drops at some point.
Can live with 'Wooden' I never notice stuff like that.
IME, the road caliper/MTB lever will be the better than the other way around, but they will feel very grabby and digital. Up to you if you can put up with that. Also, you may need to keep fettling the pad positions to keep it running as-well-as-you-can and the BB5 isn't as easy to do this with as the BB7, where the pads can be trimmed from both sides with the dials.
can get bb7s on ebay for that price (mtb ones)
Tiger6791 - Member
Can live with 'Wooden' I never notice stuff like that.
Remind yourself of that when you don't stop in time and pile into a bus/taxi/car etc.
they are far from fit and forget...
with v-brake levers, you really need the mtb ones.