My favourite levers by far - 90s LX

[2manyoranges]

As on P7s of the mid-90s. More Orangey restoration bits.

These are without doubt the nicest levers in the known universe. I love the polished alloy, the feel of the ergonomic two finger shape, the appearance and the performance. Strong in the pull, I think the result of the folded alloy design. Oh, and they are light, too. When I first saw them way back on release they looked like they would be really porky, but then realised they were only 88grams per lever. They have always been an unusual and excellent design.

Why they stopped making them I have no idea. The three lever pull-rate positions make these so flexible with both Shimano and boutique brakes. They just feel ‘right’. I wish we had the same type of lever on liquid-fuelled brakes, but progress isn’t always forwards....

These are 9/10, and even have the original QC stickers. Top labels perfect. BL-M600 with U/L and U/J date stamps. Good for a concours build as well as using in anger.

Seen them from a lot more in this condition, and about the same for ratty one. So 30:00 posted.
PM for dibs.

 

[PeterPerfect]

One of the reasons is that they were too expensive to manufacture.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Edit, just realised this is a sales thread,...

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

What were you going to say FluffyC? I’d be interested in perspectives on these....

 

[FluffyChicken]

The complete opposite of you. I hate them, found them unergonomic and not a patch on the M900 style lever or even the M737 and M770 or the Avid SD levers.
Setup, while quite easy, was just wrong and the three notches do no more than fix the ratio from beginner V-Brakes, to Advanced V-brake setting as it cannot slide like in XT levers so you can't take advantage of the cable pull and power, it's one or other.
I even have a modern set of them, which are the same just sculpted a bit more, well modern as in the 2010 era LX (M571?).
and don't like them on other bikes I have a play with when out on rides.
ok, so just didn't get on with them ;-)
I might give them a go again, see if I'm more tolerant now (I took them of and stuck them in a jiffy back, shortly after I fitted the M571 and give them a few days test).
BUT I do really like the finish and look of the modern M571 version.

Other than that, nicely built and will probably never break.

Hene why I deleted the post.

I do know lots who like the levers.

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

he he ... many thanks FC ... very interesting how different people’s experience of brake levers are. I’ve run most of the levers you outline and in particular swapped out the SDs for these, since the SDs had quite a pronounced edge which bothered my finger joints when pulling big retro on the brakes. I think the angle of the levers makes a big difference - there’s a running battle in our household - the Grom likes his levers quite down and out, and has long gangly fingers, and I like mine up and close, so I can hold one finger on each brake at all times. He complains bitterly when he nicks one of my bikes, but at least it’s a deterrent to him blagging them too much.

 

[FluffyChicken]

I'm like you there, like a finger on them and pull them in a bit.
I think it's probably the 1.5 style length of lever, the SD I used (would need to check) are really smooth and rounded with a quite wide lever in comparison to Shimano, matched with Shimano M770/M780.
I used to run them angled a long way down (retro style) but it's more comfortable with them a bit more level nowadays. Given my longest bars are probably some On-One Fleegles Pro or some Answers from late 90's is, not actually sure when they are from, but narrow by todays standards, but wide by early 90's standards.

 

[79stef]

As on P7s of the mid-90s. More Orangey restoration bits.

These are without doubt the nicest levers in the known universe. I love the polished alloy, the feel of the ergonomic two finger shape, the appearance and the performance. Strong in the pull, I think the result of the folded alloy design. Oh, and they are light, too. When I first saw them way back on release they looked like they would be really porky, but then realised they were only 88grams per lever. They have always been an unusual and excellent design.

Why they stopped making them I have no idea. The three lever pull-rate positions make these so flexible with both Shimano and boutique brakes. They just feel ‘right’. I wish we had the same type of lever on liquid-fuelled brakes, but progress isn’t always forwards....

These are 9/10, and even have the original QC stickers. Top labels perfect. BL-M600 with U/L and U/J date stamps. Good for a concours build as well as using in anger.

Seen them from a lot more in this condition, and about the same for ratty one. So 30:00 posted.
PM for dibs.

• #8

Did you sell these in the end or are they still available?

 

[2manyoranges]

Gosh - I put them back in the levers box and forgot about them....still have them. I will PM....

 

[Tsundere]

I like these levers too.