Velo Orange Long Pull Brake Levers

Long Pull brakes are a much smaller category than short pull brakes.  V brakes aka Linear pull brakes and mountain / long pull disc brakes.  That’s it.  

Unlike short pull brake levers, there are more than a few long pull levers on the market.  But just like short pull levers, there are actually very few that are worth more than a handful of Soviet rubbels.  Our two favorites are these Velo Orange levers and the Paul Love Lever 2.5.  If you want the lever that’s gunna last 25 years, get the Paul ones.  If you want a nice, light lever that will probably last 10 years of hard use or 25 years of occasional use, the Velo Orange lever is fine.  

Ergonomically there’s nothing to gripe about.  The lever has adjustable reach, the shape and size is fine.  You can use 1, 2 or 3 fingers, but two feels about right.  They’re stiff enough for heavy bikes and riders, and the braking action is smooth and friction free.  

Set up is as easy as any other V brake lever, just go easy on the tiny bolts that hold the lever together / clamp it to the bar.  

With any brake lever, if you are using interrupted brake housing and rim brakes (IE you can see bare cable on the run to the rear brake), you can use lesser brake cables, like Jagwire sport cables.  If you are using full length housing and or disc brakes, you want at least Jagwire Pro cables, and ideally Jagwire Ultraslicks for the best brake feel and lowest maintenance / least friction.  

Set your brake levers up so they’re inline with your wrists when you are seated on the saddle.  Lots of folks set their levers up at an angle that tilts your wrists up or down, which is notsoergonomic.  Good way to get numb fingers.