My 80's road bike has the original brake levers.
How much more power could I get braking from atop the hoods if I switch to aero brakes? How big a pain in the ass are they to install?
I don't think you'll get any more power braking from on the hoods (for me it felt like less than braking from the drops). Installation is not much different than the old style levers, except you have to wrap the bars afterwards.
joeball
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:10 am
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
Sheldon recommends the new aero levers as a good upgrade to improve braking performance with your old calipers. The newer levers have higher mechanical advantage that pairs well with road brake calipers that have low mechanical advantage.
I find that I like to ride on the hoods and have enough braking power from up there using newer aero levers. If I were trying to lock up a wheel I might brake from the drops so I could have the most leverage.
This article explains braking relative to cyclocross but covers most braking concepts. A road caliper is similar to low profile cantilever brakes in terms of cable pulled and pad distance traveled.
Sheldon recommends the new aero levers as a good upgrade to improve braking performance with your old calipers. The newer levers have higher mechanical advantage that pairs well with road brake calipers that have low mechanical advantage.
I find that I like to ride on the hoods and have enough braking power from up there using newer aero levers. If I were trying to lock up a wheel I might brake from the drops so I could have the most leverage.
This article explains braking relative to cyclocross but covers most braking concepts. A road caliper is similar to low profile cantilever brakes in terms of cable pulled and pad distance traveled.
Does the internal mechanism have more leverage or is it just a matter of hand position? The aero levers have a shorter cable run, but assuming the cables don't stretch much, force applied at the break lever should be transmitted to the calipers without much loss.
According to the geometry, the non-aero levers displace more cable for a given amount of pull at the brake lever (the situation can be modeled as a right triangle). But, there are also losses because the cable housings will move a bit as the brakes are applied. Plus, since the cables are just longer, a little more of the braking force goes to cable stretch.
It's been so fucking long since I rode with the old style levers. I think the last time was my Raleigh. It came with them but I installed a set of Modolos on it.
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Aaron
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:03 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
It is pure geometry.
Campagnolo made some levers that could go either way. They had better leverage in the aero configuration.
Aero levers pull at 90 degrees (aprox) to the cable. Cables out the top levers pull inline with the cable (180 degrees).
lieutenantsean
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:11 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
I'll need to spend some time mulling this one over. I don't doubt that it's true. I'm just trying to work out the mechanics of the thing.
In terms of the applied forces, you would lose applied force because the brake lever has to pull the cable out and down. That would mean the force felt at the brake caliper would be proportional to the sine of the brake lever displacement. With an aero lever, it would be proportional to the cosine, which would be larger.
I think.
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Aaron
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:13 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
We should get together over some beers and do geometry and trig. on the back of napkins. I know! Thrusday, 7 PM Westlake!
lieutenantsean
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:17 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
I know just the place we can go.
Fiddler's Inn on 35th ave and around 92nd st. Good beer.
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henry
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:26 am
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
lieutenantsean wrote:
I know just the place we can go.
Fiddler's Inn on 35th ave and around 92nd st. Good beer.
oh wierd, i went there last night on a total whim.
I went there once with a couple of co-workers. It's a nice place to hang out.
Plus, 35th runs along the top of a ridge there so we have the essential long tough ass hills to keep us honest.
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Aaron
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:34 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
So everyone, We going north this weekend to Fiddler's Inn?
Sounds like you have to come out, Sean!
lieutenantsean
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:38 am
Joined: 10 Oct 2005Posts: 1255
Yup. Since we are up in my neck of the woods, it's pretty much obligatory.
Just need to complete the negotiations with Mama.
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henry
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:38 am
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
Aaron wrote:
So everyone, We going north this weekend to Fiddler's Inn?
Sounds like you have to come out, Sean!
one thing to note:
when i was there at about 8:00 last night it was PACKED with a lively local crowd. maybe if we showed up laster there would be more room.
So everyone, We going north this weekend to Fiddler's Inn?
Sounds like you have to come out, Sean!
one thing to note:
when i was there at about 8:00 last night it was PACKED with a lively local crowd. maybe if we showed up laster there would be more room.
Jeepers Henry, what bar don't you frequent?
henry
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:11 pm
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
Aaron wrote:
henry wrote:
Aaron wrote:
So everyone, We going north this weekend to Fiddler's Inn?
Sounds like you have to come out, Sean!
one thing to note:
when i was there at about 8:00 last night it was PACKED with a lively local crowd. maybe if we showed up laster there would be more room.
Jeepers Henry, what bar don't you frequent?
it was a total fluke that i went there last night. my girlfriend and i had dinner with her sister who lives right up there, then afterward we grabbed a beer.
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