Brake Levers

Smooth stopping at an affordable price

Useful adjustment

Cow-horn compliant levers

Full-carbon V-brake lever bling

Basic looking brake boosters

Dual lever for single brakes

The way to make full use of cow-horn bars

Less weight and more comfort than their alloy counterparts

These Straitline brake levers have a truly ergonomic design and they're shaped to specifically accommodate one- or two-finger braking. The faces of the levers have also been broadened to help reduce tendon fatigue.

The left-hand lever is compatible with both double and triple chainset systems, and although there's no 'trim' position to stop the chain from rubbing when operating at an extreme angle, we didn't miss this facility.

These Lee Chi manufactured brake levers and synthetic rubber hoods are very similar in profile to the Modolo Speedy levers of the mid 1980s and could prove adequate on a road fixer or cyclo-cross bike.

These aluminium levers were originally intended for use in cyclo-cross and have proven to be popular with cycle tourists and commuters too.

These are essentially normal-pull levers that have been re-engineered to make them compatible with V-brakes. Prior to fitting the cables it is essential to strip back the plastic from the outer cable casing so that the wound metal part of the cable fits snugly into the back of the lever housing.

The Oval brake levers have a strong-looking binding mechanism that is compatible with all low pro and integrated handlebars and are available with either carbon or red painted carbon lever blades.

Cantilever brakes have largely become outmoded by disc brakes on mountain bikes but they are still fitted to the greater proportion of touring and cyclo-cross bikes.

These are an unusual design, blending the best features of a V-brake and old-school canti in a lightweight package. Long, cold forged alloy arms offer plenty of mechanical advantages and should hold their looks with basic care for many seasons to come.