Alex Graham wrote:
> Hi,
>
> For my cheapo fixed bike, I need to buy some brake levers, and am faced with the choice between
> Shimano Exage 300EX (12.99GBP) or Shimano BL-R400 Super SLR aero. The R400s look a bit nicer, but
> are they worth the extra 7 quid?
The BL-R400s, a.k.a. "Tiagra" are the finest drop-bar brake levers ever made. The Exage units are
slightly cheesier, but also pretty good. I thinkthe Exage units have a quic-release built into the
lever, which is a good thing, but not essential.
> And what does SLR mean?
"Shimano Linear Response." In plain English, it is Shimano buzzwords for brake levers that include a
return spring.
And why are some levers 'aero' and some not?
Actually, both of these questions and many more are answered by my online Bicycle Glossary. Check it
out at
http://sheldonbrown.com/glossary
Here's the entry on "Aero" brake levers:
"Æro brake levers
"Refers to brake levers made for drop handlebars. Older designs had the cables exit up from the
front of the brake levers, arching over the handlebars. The newer style, where the cable exits out
the back of the lever and runs under the handlebar tape is referred to as "æro" because it
eliminates the wind drag of the exposed cables.
"Æro levers are generally an improvement over the older type. The pivots are located differently,
making it possible to get fairly serious braking from the position where the rider's hand is on
top of the lever hood. Non-æro levers would permit the use of this position for gentle
deceleration only.
"Æro brake levers usually have more mechanical advantage, which is good in general, but may cause
problems when they are used with cantilever or drum brakes that require more cable than
conventional calipers.
In France, exposed brake cables remained popular longer than elsewhere, because French cylcists
sometimes like to transport baguettes home from the boulangerie by resting them crosswise across the
brake hoods. The cables help hold the loaves in position."
Sheldon "Cyclexicographer" Brown +----------------------------------------------------------+
| Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when | they do it from religious conviction. --
| Blaise Pascal |
+----------------------------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton,
Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts
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