Afraid of dual-pull brake levers?

[azbill]

when I built my first bike almost 2 years ago, I mounted the clutch lever under the orig front brake lever...
azvinnie took it for a ride 10 mins after I finished the build
his first time attempting to stop, he hit the brake instead of the clutch, and endoed (minimal damage to bike, less to himself)
every bike we have built since then has a dual lever

 

[Dave31]

when I built my first bike almost 2 years ago, I mounted the clutch lever under the orig front brake lever...
azvinnie took it for a ride 10 mins after I finished the build
his first time attempting to stop, he hit the brake instead of the clutch, and endoed (minimal damage to bike, less to himself)
every bike we have built since then has a dual lever

Yeah, in my opinion, having one brake lever for both brakes has got to be safer then having three levers.

 

[Merlin]

I find if I just let go of the throttle a let it drop to idle it will break traction on the back wheel. I just pull in the clutch, apply the front brake [with the right hand], and if I need rear brake I just let the clutch out a bit.

 

[H20rider]

What about using a dual pull for a combination of rim and drum on the rear wheel? I know this seems an unusual application, but with a modded engine, the stopping power becomes an issue. With an autoclutch, the front brake can be isolated to its own lever. I haven't used a dual pull for the drum caliper pairing.....just wondering if anyone has experience with it...or knows reasons NOT to do this.

 

[tyrslider]

The dual pull is nice and you can adjust it how you like (little less in front if it's more comfortable). I believe their original applications were trikes and recumbants, bikes w/ more than 2 brakes. I see no problem w/ using it for 2 brakes on the rear though I've never had a rear brake that wouldn't skid the rear. I guess the thing about brakes is control though; they all (properly adjusted) will skid/lock the wheel. The good ones give you a more linear feel and more control w/o fade! I'm an m/c guy and the clutch goes on the left and (front) brake lever on the right.

 

[woli]

Hi all,

I just came across this thread while researching my university degree major design project.

I am developing a dual control hydraulic lever for bicycles. This was initially inspired by my friend who rides at an exceptional level despite having a congenital limb deficiency. My market broadened through interest from people with limb conditions and grip problems such as RA and CTS and now I find that people such as yourselves either buy, or modify a dual set up for your motorised bikes. (ie the pyramid dual control brake lever)

I am looking to create a dual hydraulic control for mountain bike rim or disc brakes that sits on only one side of the bar.

Could something like this ever be of potential interest to you? It would be great for me to discover another potential market for my product!

Please get further product details at:
Product Design Forums > Projects in Progress section > Degree Project, Hydraulic braking system

Thanks so much
Oli

 

[2door]

Hi all,

I just came across this thread while researching my university degree major design project.

I am developing a dual control hydraulic lever for bicycles. This was initially inspired by my friend who rides at an exceptional level despite having a congenital limb deficiency. My market broadened through interest from people with limb conditions and grip problems such as RA and CTS and now I find that people such as yourselves either buy, or modify a dual set up for your motorised bikes. (ie the pyramid dual control brake lever)

I am looking to create a dual hydraulic control for mountain bike rim or disc brakes that sits on only one side of the bar.

Could something like this ever be of potential interest to you? It would be great for me to discover another potential market for my product!

Please get further product details at:
Product Design Forums > Projects in Progress section > Degree Project, Hydraulic braking system

Thanks so much
Oli

I'd be interested in reading some information on your proposal unfortunately the link you posted doesn't seem to take me anywhere. Can you try again or maybe the URL for your information?

 

[jasonh]

Heh, here's a thread from the dead. I eventually just said screw it and went with a dual-pull lever.

I would be interested in reading the info as well. a dual-pull hydraulic disc setup would be pretty rockin

 

[woli]

Hi,

Unfortunately I'm being told I cant post URLs until im a more active member!

If you go to productdesignforums . com and look for the aforementioned project title in the 'projects in progress' forum you'll find mine. If you want to see images you would have to become a member.

Remember that this is only a student project so dont concern yourselves too much with the intricate details of commercialism. I just want to know how much interest I can gain from Bicycle modifiers uch as yourselves as a different and additional market.

Thanks again

 

[Dan]

Hi Woli. There would be great interest in that product.

Collectively, there has to be a couple hundred yrs of MB and MB parts marketing experience here. (on the intricate details of commercialism)

 

[woli]

Thanks, I'm not clued up on who uses this forum but looking around I have now seen a lot of knowledgeable people around!

I'd really appreciate peoples views on the marketing possibilities when I can present the final solution
I'll probably start a fresh thread when I've got some strong concepts to show.

Oli

 

[2door]

Woli,
I just finished reading all the posts and comments on the website you mentioned regarding your project. I too agree that it's a great idea and I wish you luck with it. We have an individual here on this forum who I feel would be a good consultant for you to speak to regarding the mechanics of the system you're hoping to perfect. His screen name here is 'Creative Engineering' Hopefully he will read the preceeding posts and contact you. I think the two of you might come up with a viable product. Keep us posted on your progress and best of luck on your thesis.
Tom

 

[Creative Engineering]

Woli,
I just finished reading all the posts and comments on the website you mentioned regarding your project. I too agree that it's a great idea and I wish you luck with it. We have an individual here on this forum who I feel would be a good consultant for you to speak to regarding the mechanics of the system you're hoping to perfect. His screen name here is 'Creative Engineering' Hopefully he will read the preceeding posts and contact you. I think the two of you might come up with a viable product. Keep us posted on your progress and best of luck on your thesis.
Tom

Believe it or not I am working on a dual hydraulic brake set-up utilizing one lever...not for near so noble a cause...but simply to hide the mechanicals on a Scwinn Spoiler I'm building. You can only bend cable a few times before it becomes inoperable...fluid is the way to go! Keep the pressure differentials correct and poly-tube will work fine!

My intent is to create a sort of ant-lock by placing springs between the master cylinder lever and pistons...the compression rate on these springs wil be adjustable for both front and rear pistons. In the event of a panic stop; the wheels will not totally lock-up, which could result in a nasty spill.

woli:

What design software are you using? I will gladly send you some 3D models to stir your imagination.

Jim

 

[huckersteve]

I took my brother honda metropolatin up town yesterday . and after reaching top speed i instinctivly pulled the left brake all the way in like i do my clutch on my bike( to keep the noise down in fear of unwanted attention by cops) which in turn slammed on the brakes and almost got rearended by the car behind me . so i understand what you mean there.

Dang guys- Adapt..



Seriously, it's not that hard. I ride Bicycles, Mopeds, and motorcycles, and every damn one of them has slightly different controls and personalities.

 

[huckersteve]

Regarding dual pull hydraulic brakes- I'd love to see one done. Someone could easily adapt one from a motorcycle I would imagine, being that any dual front disc brake equipped bike has a master cylinder pushing two calipers. As for ABS type technology, that's another level of complexity I don't want ot have to tackle myself.

A lot of MB riders on here seem to be gun shy of Dual pulls and some of even of front brakes in general, and while I can understand why, (as somewhere along the lines we have all gone OTB) but simple math and a grasp of how riding works tells you that IF you have to go with only one brake, the front is the brake to rely on for stopping power. 70 to 80% of your stopping power is in the front brake. Coasters have let me down, and rear rim brakes, while stronger, still lock up under severe braking situations because most of your weight transfers to the front of the vehicle when trying to stop.

We all need to learn to be best friends with our front brakes..

 

[jasonh]

A lot of MB riders on here seem to be gun shy of Dual pulls

I was for a while. Mostly I don't like having all my eggs in one basket. But I'm over it mostly.

 

[woli]

Hi all again,

My project is coming to a close pretty soon (7 weeks) and I'm starting to produce some images of the final product:

The X-Flow Dual Hydraulic Control System.





I can't discuss the ins and outs due to a few legalities but I can tell you it operates both brakes individually and together with one lever one one side.

Let me know what you think of the overall look.

Thanks
Oli

 

[commander]

I've been using 1 lever that pulls 2 cables on the right. The clutch is on the left. With this set up, I have less on the handle bars.

Dual Brake Lever Black/Silver - Choppers U.S., LLC

thats the exact same one I have , infact i got 2 of them for both my builds. I think they work awesome but it takes some adjusting to perfect both brakes working at the same time.

@Walli and "creative engineer" that product could transform biking into a hole new safety realm . I personally like the idea of hydraulic brakes as i know it can be done and in the end would be a wonderful addition to get rid of cables all together. I wish you both good luck with this great Biking safety idea.

 

[Creative Engineering]

Hi all again,

My project is coming to a close pretty soon (7 weeks) and I'm starting to produce some images of the final product:

The X-Flow Dual Hydraulic Control System.

View attachment 7128

View attachment 7129

I can't discuss the ins and outs due to a few legalities but I can tell you it operates both brakes individually and together with one lever one one side.

Let me know what you think of the overall look.

Thanks
Oli

Oli that is a brilliant design!!! Not only from a mechanical functionality standpoint, but also from a form and fit standpoint. GOOD JOB!

Jim

 

[mechanickid]

I did what you did, only i wired a six inch x 1/2 inch pipe to both handles and i like it alot, i feel very safe, and thats something nice when you've made you bike yourself and dont really know how strong it is.