Thinking of removing cross top levers

[Holdsworth]

I have a set of Tektro levers on bars of my EBC Country Traveller, I never really use them and they take up space on the bars which makes fitting accessories tricky.

I would much prefer to see them go but I don't know how to go about this. The problem I can see is that the barrel adjuster for the canti brakes are integrated into the cross levers; there is no other form of adjustment for the brakes other than manually adjusting the yoke cable on the brakes. Is there anything that can be done to circumvent this problem?

The shifters/brakes are Shimano 2203.

I assume that unwrapping the tape, fitting a new cable housing and putting it back together is something that the LBS could do quite easily? I can see myself making a hash of it as with most mechanical things if I attempted it myself.

Thanks all.

 

[HLaB]

You might need to buy in line cable adjusters, I had to fit them when I removed similar lever from my sirrus during its conversion to drops and sora levers.

The proccess of removing bar tape and retaping isn't hard I'd be tempted to have a go, but buy the parts from the lbs and let them know that if I'm not happy I'll send it back to them for help. Touch wood anything I've done so far for the first time however I haven't needed to go back to the lbs.

Edit: In line cable adjusters

 

[Holdsworth]

A trip to the only LBS open on a Wednesday turned up nothing so I will wait to see what the other two in Crewe have on Friday. Otherwise I will get these Jagwire ones, dunno if they are suitable for brake cables as the forces induced are more than those for gear cables.

I think I have the procedure worked out but I will chat to the guy at the LBS to see what he has to say.

 

[HLaB]

I was a wee bit dubious about them too for brakes but a quick google around showed folk like Sheldon and SJS selling them for brakes, I've had no problem with mine but the bike was retired to the turbo after a few 1000 miles anyhow.

 

[Alun]

I have used jagwire adjusters successfully on brakes before. You might be able to fit them as a direct swap for the crosstop levers, avoiding the need to retape the bars and cut the cable outers.

 

[MacB]

You can definitely replace with inline adjusters which means you cna use the same inners and outers. I actually just removed one of mine, leaving the front brake one in place, I don't use it as a main brake but do like to be able to modulate speed without moving my hand position, in traffic for example.

 

[Holdsworth]

I have gone and ordered the Jagwire ones from SJS, the description states brake/gear adjuster so it should work alright. I will see if I can get away without removing the bar tape. I assume that I simply thread the cable through the adjuster and push the ends of both sections of cable outer in to either side of the barrel, is any kind of fixing needed or does it just slot in and friction held?

 

[MacB]

Just slots in and is held by cable tension

 

[jackthelad]

Holdsworth I would be interested in the levers for my tricross,if you want to name a price

Jackthelad

 

[Holdsworth]

Holdsworth I would be interested in the levers for my tricross,if you want to name a price

Jackthelad

I am not sure the right hand one would be of any use to you, the thread is a bit knackered after I cross threaded the barrel adjuster. The left-hand one works fine though.

 

[Holdsworth]

Also good tip MacB, I might leave the front brake in place for use as you say and leave the left (rear brake) side of the bar free for mounting accessories

 

[Holdsworth]

I received the adjusters this morning courtesy of SJS

.

Trying to fit them ATM but I am having problems with the rear brake cable fraying, making it tricky to thread through the outers. Getting a little

 

[Norm]

... I am having problems with the rear brake cable fraying, making it tricky to thread through the outers. Getting a little

I know that it's a personal thing, and I know it's no ruddy use at 8pm on a Saturday, but cables are cheap enough that I spend a few seconds trying to re-use them, then bin the things.

 

[Holdsworth]

So can anyone offer an alternative brake cable from, dare I say, Halfords? Must be compatible with my drop STI levers if that makes any difference to the choice.

And a god cable cutter is needed as well I presume?

 

[Holdsworth]

I've decided that as it is only the back cable that I worked on and was frayed it can wait until I can take it to the LBS on Friday.