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Ok, I'm really focusing on the way the hoses exit the master-cylinder/lever, and how the hoses get in the way of trying to mount bar bags securely.
For instance, my SRAM brakes have hoses that exit at an angle away from the handlebars, rather than parallel to the bars. They then get in the way.
My older Hope brakes have an extremely long design that pushes the hoses towards, and in the way of, a handlebar roll.
So what might work better?
A master-cylinder / lever that is quite short?
Hoses that can be angled at the fitting?
Any other ideas?
I'm only looking at hydraulic brakes btw.
Cheers
All you need is a bar harness/bag that doesn't squash the cables.
I use Shimano XT brakes on three of the four bikes I use for bikepacking. The fifth is a gravel bike and so uses road-type shifter/brake levers.
It can help if the brake hoses (and gear cables) are a little longer than you might otherwise fit too. Just gives some flexibility in routing.
not shimano slx. they are utterly rubbish.
we have 3 pairs on 3 bikes. all suffered the same issues after 18 months.
wont ever use em again.
I highly recommend this salsa bar cradle.
Dead easy to attach the cradle to the bars.
Dead easy to attach a bag to the cradle.
Zero flapping about of bag on bars.
Zero catching of cables with bags.
As for brakes, if your current ones stop the bike, keep them.
I have in the past come across hope brakes where people had used banjo fittings at the lever end. I can comment on how well they work, but tBH i cant see them having any negative effect given the caliper end uses a banjo.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm "possibly" going to put a new bike together (I keep getting drawn towards the Mason Raw) so would need to buy new brakes anyway.
I'm also thinking of going to a handlebar with greater sweep (Jones?) to help my increasingly decrepit joints. I think the sweep would exacerbate the hose situation; maybe make it easier to put a bag behind the hoses though?
Shimano xt brakes, alpkit drybag and cradle. Works fine on my mtb, road/ gravel bikes too with an extra turn on the bag, so it fits between the drops.
I think the sweep would exacerbate the hose situation; maybe make it easier to put a bag behind the hoses though?
Pretty much this really. Again, just keep the hoses slightly longer (they need to be long for Jones Bars anyway but allow a wee bit more).
New Cues lever looks useful in this respect. (edit, what Tom said)
If you put the bag behind longer hoses just check the steering motion doesn't make the hose rub back + forth on the drybag.
I have in the past come across hope brakes where people had used banjo fittings at the lever end.
Like old XT brakes.. good idea. V-brake noodles can be useful for cable brake runs or gear cables.
To echo Tom and James, Shimano Cues hoses exit close to the bars. Of you're prepared to wait a few months then I think Sram are also likely to be releasing brakes with similar hose routing in the near future. It's all for headset routed cabling but should work for your requirements.
I run a cradle type front bag, a Topeak Front Loader, and Formula R1 brakes.
The old dual-control Shimano STIs had ideal hose and cable routing. Limited to 9 speed though.
good spot above on the Cues levers.
I did look at using Hope and 90deg banjo's for my latest build, but went with XT trekking levers as the long lever suits Jones bars and cheaper, the cues levers woudl be better again
Wait two weeks. That would be my advice.
not shimano slx. they are utterly rubbish.
we have 3 pairs on 3 bikes. all suffered the same issues after 18 months.
What failed? I have got some M7000. Did you warranty them?