Brake levers are essentially the small, metallic levers mounted on the handlebars of a motorcycle or dirt-bike. These levers, when pulled, activate the brakes, either by compressing the hydraulic fluid reservoir or by pulling on a cable. This, in turn, helps to bring the vehicle to a halt soon after the brake lever has been engaged.
At a glance, brake levers often comprise standard-pull levers which are combined with cantilever or caliper brakes for maximum functionality. When cable disc-brakes or v-brakes are being used, long-pull levers are employed along with them, particularly on mountain bikes. Dual-pull levers, on the other hand, are typically found on a gyro or detangler vehicles for enhanced stability.
Replacing a Brake lever
As brake levers are attached to the handlebars of the motorcycle, they can often be susceptible to damage or breakage during accidents. In such situations, the damaged brake lever might need to be replaced for the two-wheeler to retain its functionality.
When such a replacement is required, the owner of the vehicle must do the required research in order to learn about the various types of replacements available in the market as well as their individual merits and drawbacks. Knowing what to look for (and where) will prevent wastage of time and money, allowing the bike owner to purchase a high-quality and durable brake lever at the first try.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Brake lever
Some of the factors that will affect the type of brake lever you need include the type of bike you own, the type of braking system involved, the groupset manufacturer, and the handlebar diameter. For instance, the type of brake lever required for a BMX bike will be different from that which is needed for a road bike or a dirt bike. Whether the braking system is cable-actuated or hydraulic fluid enabled will similarly play a major role in the buying decision.
Short pull and long pull levers are the two main types of brake levers used on bikes and motorcycles with cable brakes. The components which make up a hydraulic brake system, on the other hand, include rotor, hydraulic fluid, master cylinder, and pads. Hydraulic brake levers work with the help of an incompressible fluid which can transfer force from one point of the machinery to another.
The brake lever you choose to buy and install in your dirt-bike must be compatible with the braking system that this bike currently possesses. In the realm of cable-actuated brakes, the three types of braking systems most commonly seen are cantilever brakes, U-brakes, and caliper brakes. The most common types of hydraulic brakes found in motorbikes are drum brakes, band brakes, cone brakes, and disc brakes.
Types of Brake levers
Almost all motorcycle brake levers available in the market can be divided into two broad categories. These are known as the Upright-Bar Brake levers and the Drop-Bar Brake levers. Long-pull and short-pull brake levers fall into the upright-bar category while cross-top and integrated brake levers fall into the drop-bar category.
There is a greater distance between the end of the cable and the point at which the lever pivots, in the case of long-pull brake levers. Hence, when such a lever is moved, more of the cable is pulled as a result. V-Brakes and Disc-Brakes usually feature this type of brake lever.
On the other hand, short-pull brake levers pull less cable due to the fact that there is a comparatively lesser distance between the pivot and the end of the cable. Cantilever brakes and Road Caliper brakes are therefore known to work very well with these short-pull levers.
Brake levers and shifters are combined into a single mechanical system in order to create the integrated brake lever. When an integrated brake lever is pulled towards the handlebar, the movement serves to actuate the braking system. On the other hand, if the lever is pushed away from the handlebar, this actuates the derailleur.
Cross-top brake levers, also known as interrupter levers, are those which clamp onto the drop-bar close to the stem. When used in conjunction with a set of standard drop-bar brake levers, cross-top levers can significantly enhance the functionality of a dirt-bike.
Some standard drop-bar brake levers come with hoods or comprehensive rubber covering, although this is not universal. These standard levers are designed for enhanced accessibility when riders have their hands either on the topmost or the lowermost portion of the handlebars.
Concluding Note
Now that you know all about the different types of brake levers that you can choose from for your beloved motorbike, you are well-equipped to make an informed decision and purchase the ideal product in accordance with your needs, budget, and aesthetic preferences. For the best results, however, you should only purchase a high-quality motorcycle brake lever manufactured by a reputed brand or company.
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