At 7/28/2006 04:47 PM +1000, geoff duke wrote:
>I am wondering if anyone can tell me if a Mafac twin cable tandem
>brake lever would work if it were placed on the top of the
>handlebars.Like a cyclocross lever.Would it be able to work on the
>flat section of bar or do they need to be on the bends like other
>levers.Thinking about setting up a single speed bike with canti's
>front and rear with one lever and considering that there would be a
>good place for it.Sorry if this question is a bit clunky but hoping
>for an answer,
>Geoff Duke Melbourne Australia
Geoff, I've never done this to Mafac levers but I have successfully straightened many Weinmann, Dia Compe and CLB levers for use on straight sections of handlebar. Usually for recumbents, but lately for North Road bars.
I clamp the band around the end of a heavy piece of 7/8" tubing and
straighten them out between wooden blocks in a vice. See;
http://bikesmithdesign.com/
Weinmann/Dia Compe bands are plenty strong. And surprisingly you don't even damage the hat shaped plastic bushings. But I would do Mafacs like I do CLBs - Drill a 5mm hole through the 7/8" tube and run a bolt all the way through the hole in the body and the tube.
I get a lot of compliments about the CLBs on my Jack Taylor.
http://www.bikesmithdesign.com/
I put over 25K commuting miles on a set of modified Weinmanns without trouble.
Mark Stonich;
Minneapolis Minnesota
http://mnhpva.org
http://bikesmithdesign.com