Brake Lever Technical Information

Handlebar Clamp Diameter

Before mounting brake levers or shifters on handlebars, it is important to know that the outer diameter of the handlebar and the inner diameter of the clamp match up properly. A correct fit will ensure that the components can be properly and safely installed.

Traditionally, "road" style drop handlebars were manufactured from tubing that measured 23.8mm in diameter. This measurement was based on an obsolete British standard of 15/16" stem clamps.

Currently most drop handlebars are still made from 23.8mm tubing, but the center stem clamp area of the bars has been thickened by the addition of a sleeve, or by bulging out the tubing. Depending upon the standard being used, this stem clamp area can measure out to 25.4mm (I.S.O. Standard), 26.0mm (Italian standard), 26.4mm (older Cinelli standard, discontinued in 1998), or 31.8mm (oversized). While the diameter and width of the stem clamp area may vary, the diameter of the grip area of drop handlebars is almost always 23.8mm.

Likewise, the grip area of "mountain" style flat or riser handlebars is almost always 22.2mm, more commonly referred to as 7/8". The stem clamp area on flat handlebars can vary from anywhere from 22.2mm to 31.8mm.

The measurements of drop and flat handlebars are repeated elsewhere. For example, moustache handlebars and pursuit "bullhorn" handlebars often conform to the same dimensions as "road" handlebars. Cruiser handlebars and bars that are swept back often measure the same as "mountain" style handlebars.

When mounting brake levers or your handlebar, it is important that you do not overtighten the clamp bolt. The clamp should be tight enough that it will not rotate during normal use, but loose enough that it can turn in a crash, rather than bend.


Brake Lever Compatability

Cross Lever

The Cross Lever is designed to fit onto the thicker stem clamp area of handlebars. Two versions are available to fit handlebars with a stem clamp area diameter of 26.0mm or 31.8mm.

The hinged clamp of a 26.0mm Cross Lever is designed in a way that also allows it to mount securely on handlebars with a 25.4mm diameter stem clamp area.

The Cross Lever is both a Short Pull and a Long Pull lever, depending upon the position of the adjustable pivot.

E-Lever

The E-Lever is made in two different clamp sizes.

The 23.8mm version is designed to fit the grip area of most drop handlebars, and other handlebars with "road" style dimensions.
The E-Lever will not fit onto the larger stem clamp area of these bars, but can mount next to it.

The 7/8" version of the E-Lever fits onto the grip area of "mountain" style handlebars.

The E-Lever is a Short Pull lever.

Love Levers

The Love Lever Compact and the Love Lever 2.5 are both made with a 7/8" clamp to fit onto the grip area of "mountain" style handlebars.

These levers will not fit on "road" style handlebars.

The Love Lever Compact and the Love Lever 2.5 are both Long Pull levers.

Canti Lever

The Canti Lever is also designed with a 7/8" clamp to fit onto the grip area of "mountain" style handlebars.

These levers will not fit on "road" style handlebars.

The Canti Lever is a Short Pull lever.

Cable Pull

Modern mechanical brakes and brake levers come in two varieties based on the amount of brake cable they pull for a given amount of movement. This can be roughly equated to their mechanical advantage.

Short Pull (also known as Normal Pull) brake levers work with most brakes, including cantilevers, road calipers, centerpull brakes, u-brakes, and roller cam brakes.

Long Pull (also known as Direc Pull) brake levers pull a longer amount of cable as they swing, and work with linear pull brakes, Shimano's V-Brakes, and cable-actuated disk brakes.

The cable pull of a the lever must match the pull of the brake in order to have enough leverage to apply the brake properly. If a long pull lever is used with a short pull brake, the cable will be pulled twice as far but only half as hard. If a short pull lever is used with a long pull brake, the braking system will feel overly soft, and the pads will rest too close to the rim.


Printable Instructions

These instruction sheets are the same ones we ship with our components.

In order to open these instructions you will need to have .pdf reading software installed on your computer. Click here to download Adobe Reader, or to make sure you have the latest version.

Questions?

For technical questions please email info@paulcomp.com, or call us at 530-345-4371.