TE 511 Brake/Clutch Lever Angle

[Cosmokenney]

Man do I want to get my levers pointed down! After twenty plus years of mountain biking, I cannot get used to having them horizontal. I started out on BMX bikes with the lever vertical. Then on mountain bikes I settled in with them at about 45 degrees down -- maybe even more. Standing most of the time while riding just makes matters worse.

I also would really like to get some short levers. I've seen other posts on this site talking about ARC levers, but I can't tell if they're shorter or not. I mostly use one finger on either lever (two in an emergency stop situation). Longer levers tend to hit the knuckles of my pinky and ring fingers.

So as to getting the levers pointed down, I can't because the hydraulic lines bind against the bar. Is there a way to slightly loosen the clutch line and rotate the 90 degree fitting a little? If I did that, would I introduce air into the line? Not sure what to do with the brake line, its straight out from the reservoir. Should I be looking at different bar bends?

Suggestions?

 

[New511Guy]

I hope someone who knows replies. I come from the same background (bikes) and have the same issue.

 

[Tinken]

The Zipty racing team uses Arc levers and so do I. They are a little shorter, but they just work and don't break. Pull weight is decreased, so the clutch will feel lighter. You can rotate your brake and clutch down, I do. Just don't pop your reservoir caps until in the horizontal position and you will be fine. Ty recommends the composite levers, but I use the aluminum ones with Cycra guards, they are a little thinner and precise.

 

[Cosmokenney]

The Zipty racing team uses Arc levers and so do I. They are a little shorter, but they just work and don't break. Pull weight is decreased, so the clutch will feel lighter. You can rotate your brake and clutch down, I do. Just don't pop your reservoir caps until in the horizontal position and you will be fine. Ty recommends the composite levers, but I use the aluminum ones with Cycra guards, they are a little thinner and precise.

Tinken, do you use the stock handlebars?

 

[Tinken]

Tinken, do you use the stock handlebars?

No, I use 116mm Flexx bars that are tall to help me with my height. Flexx bars reduce vibration and fatigue over long rides. They are a must if you have previous shoulder, elbow or wrist injuries. Ty and I mainly use them because we love the comfort.

 

[Cosmokenney]

No, I use 116mm Flexx bars that are tall to help me with my height. Flexx bars reduce vibration and fatigue over long rides. They are a must if you have previous shoulder, elbow or wrist injuries. Ty and I mainly use them because we love the comfort.

Oh. Isn't it weird feeling them flex while you ride?

 

[Tinken]

It's weird that I don't feel washboard bumps or small rocks anymore, otherwise, I never notice them there.

 

[reveille]

It's weird that I don't feel washboard bumps or small rocks anymore, otherwise, I never notice them there.

What type of handguard set up works with the flexx bars? Me being tall i already have tall lower bar clamps with the HDB guards but I don't see how these would work with them.

 

[Tinken]

They will, you have to add BRP billet arms and the guards will swing on the same pivot.

 

[New511Guy]

So as to getting the levers pointed down, I can't because the hydraulic lines bind against the bar. Is there a way to slightly loosen the clutch line and rotate the 90 degree fitting a little? If I did that, would I introduce air into the line? Not sure what to do with the brake line, its straight out from the reservoir. Should I be looking at different bar bends?

I took off the brake lever (2 8mm nuts) then I hacksawed off the tab on the reservoir that stopped the upward rotation of the brake line. I loosened the hydraulic just enough to allow it to rotate up then immediately tightened it. No fluid loss or air in line. I was then, after reinstallation, able to rotate the brake lever down... some. Still not as far as I'd like, but better.

 

[Aaron8]

People that run shorty levers seem to love these..

http://www.midwestme.com/pages/productinfo.html

 

[Cosmokenney]

What type of handguard set up works with the flexx bars? Me being tall i already have tall lower bar clamps with the HDB guards but I don't see how these would work with them.

Reveille, what bar clamps do you have? I'm 6'1" tall, so I put some home depot 22 mm nylon spacers under my stock bar clamps. I also spent the $s on the low, set back foot pegs from Touratech. They got me closer to where I want to be, but I don't like the flexy feel I'm getting from the bars.

I really don't think I want to go higher. I'd rather have my bars farther forward.

It's sort of seems that BMP might have something, but I cannot decipher their site.

 

[Cosmokenney]

People that run shorty levers seem to love these..

http://www.midwestme.com/pages/productinfo.html

Yea, I came across those too. I'm about to place an order. I like the idea of them being both short and lighter pull. I almost went with the ARC levers. But the shorties got me.

Still gotta figure out how to get my levers down to where I want them. Like I said in my initial post, the hydraulic lines are binding against the handlebars. Maybe with the shorties, I can move the controls farther out (toward the grips) to create some clearance.

 

[Cosmokenney]

I took off the brake lever (2 8mm nuts) then I hacksawed off the tab on the reservoir that stopped the upward rotation of the brake line. I loosened the hydraulic just enough to allow it to rotate up then immediately tightened it. No fluid loss or air in line. I was then, after reinstallation, able to rotate the brake lever down... some. Still not as far as I'd like, but better.

Oh, just saw this after I posted #13. That's exactly the info I was looking for.

 

[Aaron8]

Yea, I came across those too. I'm about to place an order. I like the idea of them being both short and lighter pull. I almost went with the ARC levers. But the shorties got me.

Still gotta figure out how to get my levers down to where I want them. Like I said in my initial post, the hydraulic lines are binding against the handlebars. Maybe with the shorties, I can move the controls farther out (toward the grips) to create some clearance.

If you get the MME levers, do let us know how you like them. I almost got a replacement one for my broken OEM clutch lever, but I balked when I priced both brake and clutch levers together (can't have different clutch and brake levers, right?). I'd really like to know if it makes 1-finger clutching any easier. Thanks.

 

[Cosmokenney]

If you get the MME levers, do let us know how you like them. I almost got a replacement one for my broken OEM clutch lever, but I balked when I priced both brake and clutch levers together (can't have different clutch and brake levers, right?). I'd really like to know if it makes 1-finger clutching any easier. Thanks.

Order placed for Clutch lever. The brake levers are out of stock until about two weeks from now. The reviews I read make it sound like the pull is a bit easier on the clutch and that one fingering is quite possible.

 

[N4544D]

ordered a MME clutch lever as well, will report back.

 

[danny318]

ordered a MME clutch lever as well, will report back.

Is it this one that is the right lever for our bikes?
Brembo Clutch Lever - Not for 350 F.


Any idea how much shorter it is than the stock lever?

 

[N4544D]

That's the one I ordered; I haven't received it yet, but can take some measurements. I'd guess 1.5 inches shorter based on looking at my friend's bike. My biggest complaint is the length and trapping my pinky and ring finger...pull force is not really an issue on our bikes.

 

[danny318]

Cool cool, let us know how you like it