RADBMX.CO.UK

BMX General => BMX Chat => Topic started by: meticulous on March 20, 2013, 06:12 PM

Title: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: meticulous on March 20, 2013, 06:12 PM
nobody seems to like them or have them on there bikes...   ???

compared with tech 3's they look just as good and are era correct for old schoolers,  and they are dead cheap!    ??? ???

so 'why?' i ask....


(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ii194/quattro2008/image_zpsaa77d491.jpg)


(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ii194/quattro2008/image_zps61c48217.jpg)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: adenough on March 20, 2013, 06:19 PM
imo, they look like folded cardboard  :laugh:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: crazycraig on March 20, 2013, 06:24 PM
They work far better than tech III . I like um
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: Retrodan72 on March 20, 2013, 06:27 PM
I don't use them Sam as I don't remember them BITD. Also they look cheap IMO. :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: In2 bmx on March 20, 2013, 06:31 PM
Apart from I never had one bitd . The lever is to small , and I don't like the two tone colours . .. :daumenhoch:

Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: NORTY40 on March 20, 2013, 06:42 PM
I don't mind them , Carl has a point on the two tone variations of the same colour though .  I also think that people as daft as it sounds don't use them because they are cheap and readily available .  Shame, as like you say Sam they are early 80's levers .  I dare say as supplies run out and the price creeps up , more and more people will start to use them . Im pretty sure they were dearer than tec3's bitd  :D

Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: meticulous on March 20, 2013, 07:22 PM
at £10 for a nos pair its a no brainer ...   if your not too bothered about the expence snobbery....   :-\
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: diesel on March 20, 2013, 07:26 PM
I have some, however performance wise they are a little spongy in comparison.

They work well when using brand new !00% straight wheels (something I never had back in the day)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: midschooljon on March 20, 2013, 07:29 PM
I have some, however performance wise they are a little spongy in comparison.

They work well when using brand new !00% straight wheels (something I never had back in the day)

I agree, they are super spongy and didn't work as well as DC's offering back in the day. Given most bikes they go on these days wont be raced or ridden hard I guess it doesn't really matter, but BITD they were rubbish to actually use.
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: animal on March 20, 2013, 08:11 PM
I had them bitd 4 a while and they work better than Tech 3's till they r worn. I prefere the SX with the chrome lever and coloured body  :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: boofy44 on March 20, 2013, 08:11 PM
they work better than any DC lever and look cool.some people must have been clueless
as to how to set there bikes up bitd.end of. :knuppel2:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: meticulous on March 20, 2013, 08:14 PM
watch the price of these levers double now after this thread....   :D

anybody want to buy some mint blue ones for £40....   :crazy2:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: crazycraig on March 20, 2013, 08:22 PM
What they work better than DC ? Not on mine they don't . I think you get more pull on the lever . The spongy is the cable stretch . They stop my better
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: boofy44 on March 20, 2013, 08:24 PM
give the cable a good pre stretch before use.jobs a good un. :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: hunterdubber on March 20, 2013, 09:56 PM
nobody seems to like them or have them on there bikes...   ???



Really ?

I have a Shimano set up on my Nora

Dx lever and Tourney caliper  :smitten:

Because I like to have something different on each of my bikes



(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u24/hunterdubber/P5140440.jpg)





I had a DX lever for a while BITD but found it didn't peform aswell as a DC ,,, spongey


but I think the Tourney calipers are ace, with their  selfcentre-ing mechanism  :4_17_5:, far better than the DC MX self centre bobbins  :crazy2:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: ozone on March 20, 2013, 10:06 PM
Don't those levers work by moving the outer cable rather than pulling the inner?   :-\  That could account for the difference in feel. 

I could never get away with them personally as their fugliness is impossible to ignore.   :(
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: OrgasmDonor on March 20, 2013, 10:13 PM
great looking levers IMO but they just didnt work well
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: crazycraig on March 20, 2013, 10:22 PM
Thats a great looking GT .
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: Andy68 on March 20, 2013, 10:24 PM
I like 'em............

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ii49/Paz68/DSCF4863.jpg)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: Devilock on March 20, 2013, 10:41 PM
Interesting thread Sam...& good point Joff...!
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: jT Racing on March 20, 2013, 11:05 PM
i like em. prefer them to dia compe levers.
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: BENDYCAT ELEVENTEEN on March 21, 2013, 02:00 AM
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121080362324'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648

 ::)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: meticulous on March 21, 2013, 08:36 AM
spoke to soon....



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-a-pair-of-Gold-Shimano-DX-brake-levers-Old-School-BMX-/310618401711?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48524cabaf


 :-X
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: BMX1973 on March 21, 2013, 08:57 AM
+1  :daumenhoch:

I had them bitd 4 a while and they work better than Tech 3's till they r worn. I prefere the SX with the chrome lever and coloured body  :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: dordymush on March 21, 2013, 11:33 AM
i never liked the look of em even bitd.
always look to small to me  :-\
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: pickle on March 21, 2013, 11:38 AM
might get some for my mini  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: NORTY40 on March 21, 2013, 11:49 AM
spoke to soon....



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-a-pair-of-Gold-Shimano-DX-brake-levers-Old-School-BMX-/310618401711?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48524cabaf


 :-X

 :shocked:   I gave a set of those away to a nice chap on here not long since  ;D
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: meticulous on March 21, 2013, 12:02 PM
spoke to soon....



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-a-pair-of-Gold-Shimano-DX-brake-levers-Old-School-BMX-/310618401711?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48524cabaf


 :-X

 :shocked:   I gave a set of those away to a nice chap on here not long since  ;D

Probably been under a steam roller though...   ;) ;D
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: NORTY40 on March 21, 2013, 12:10 PM
spoke to soon....



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-a-pair-of-Gold-Shimano-DX-brake-levers-Old-School-BMX-/310618401711?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48524cabaf


 :-X

 :shocked:   I gave a set of those away to a nice chap on here not long since  ;D

Probably been under a steam roller though...   ;) ;D

 :LolLolLolLol:   No .... they were true NOS and minty mint  8)

Them Blue tec4's weren't that bad Sam , they had a touch of gravel rash were the steam roller had just caught them ..... your a cruel man  :D
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: MartyC on March 21, 2013, 12:48 PM
I like them but have not found them in the right colours for any of my builds so far but I have a build I think they would look good on but need either all chrome or a black and chrome one  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: Rabdul06 on March 21, 2013, 03:02 PM

   I wonder how many people read this, went to eBay to check the prices out, saw how cheap they are and have now decided to get some for their next build..!?!? :LolLolLolLol:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: Clean on March 21, 2013, 04:15 PM
I love DXs; had them on my BH California as a kid, then on my Ultra Burner.  :smitten:

Had them on my Haro FST before breaking it and selling it last year, too.  :daumenhoch:

I am particularly fond of the novel mechanism, but perhaps they are Marmite levers? Or perhaps that no completes were ever sold with them as standard BITD - to my limited knowledge - means that none of us wants them today for our purist nostalgia builds?  ???

Just sayin', like......................  ;)

Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: Badbaldie on March 21, 2013, 04:30 PM
i use them  :daumenhoch: 
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: monkian on March 21, 2013, 04:36 PM
Me too. Shimano = Good Stuff 8)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: meticulous on March 21, 2013, 06:02 PM
spoke to soon....



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-a-pair-of-Gold-Shimano-DX-brake-levers-Old-School-BMX-/310618401711?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48524cabaf


 :-X

 :shocked:   I gave a set of those away to a nice chap on here not long since  ;D

Probably been under a steam roller though...   ;) ;D

 :LolLolLolLol:   No .... they were true NOS and minty mint  8)

Them Blue tec4's weren't that bad Sam , they had a touch of gravel rash were the steam roller had just caught them ..... your a cruel man  :D



gona tease ya'  till the day you die...     :LolLolLolLol:

 ;)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: NORTY40 on March 21, 2013, 06:07 PM
spoke to soon....



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-a-pair-of-Gold-Shimano-DX-brake-levers-Old-School-BMX-/310618401711?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48524cabaf


 :-X

 :shocked:   I gave a set of those away to a nice chap on here not long since  ;D

Probably been under a steam roller though...   ;) ;D

 :LolLolLolLol:   No .... they were true NOS and minty mint  8)

Them Blue tec4's weren't that bad Sam , they had a touch of gravel rash were the steam roller had just caught them ..... your a cruel man  :D



gona tease ya'  till the day you die...     :LolLolLolLol:

 ;)


 :knuppel2:  :knuppel2:    ........ think i might need a bigger bat and some step ladders though Sam  :D

 :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: region11 on March 21, 2013, 06:50 PM
I quite like them.  It's nice to have a build without tech 3's

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v260/hutch1970/100_0844.jpg)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: Bigplinky on March 21, 2013, 06:52 PM
From what I remember they were out before Tech 3 and very good in their time (same time as Tech 2 which really are marmite levers and long DC levers which were crap) things just moved on in 83 when tech 3 came out, they just got kind of forgotten about.

More builds up to 83 need them  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: oldtired on March 21, 2013, 07:23 PM
they were / are ok levers  and as said look the part on an early build  :daumenhoch: 

 however they broke easy and wore out real quick the cam if i remember would never stay set at the far point, baggy brakes down the track after about an hour, tech 3 was just more reliable , simpler  :daumenhoch:

  the two here are not nos but from back then both with the above fault and a bit bent  :LolLolLolLol:

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ff98/jimjdld/bmx/junk.jpg)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: Jaan on March 21, 2013, 07:34 PM
I had SX levers and Tourneys on a Torker as a nippa - they did me fine for racing around the block  ;)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: meticulous on March 21, 2013, 08:56 PM
so over-engineered then.   :-\   just like their cranks....   :-[
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: neil on March 21, 2013, 09:11 PM
I had one on my first bike seem to remember the lever sometimes jammed ,and they seemed to wear cables quickly ,but they do look decent 8)
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: RATTY on March 21, 2013, 10:38 PM
I raced with them bitd and still use them now, great lever when set up right. :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: bobbbbsy on March 21, 2013, 11:01 PM
short n fugly !
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: not johndub71 on March 22, 2013, 06:13 PM
My mate had some. Ok for Spen hands. Did feel very spongy.
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: leehunt1 on March 22, 2013, 06:19 PM
nobody seems to like them or have them on there bikes...   ???



Really ?

I have a Shimano set up on my Nora

Dx lever and Tourney caliper  :smitten:

Because I like to have something different on each of my bikes



(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u24/hunterdubber/P5140440.jpg)





I had a DX lever for a while BITD but found it didn't peform aswell as a DC ,,, spongey


but I think the Tourney calipers are ace, with their  selfcentre-ing mechanism  :4_17_5:, far better than the DC MX self centre bobbins  :crazy2:

Its on the  right u Gay f@cker
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: jT Racing on March 22, 2013, 06:22 PM
They would need to be £100 a set to be cool for most.
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: meticulous on March 22, 2013, 06:26 PM
They would need to be £100 a set to be cool for most.



they will be soon after this thread...
Title: Re: why are shimano DX brake levers so unloved?
Post by: hunterdubber on March 22, 2013, 07:29 PM


Its on the  right u Gay f@cker

Well I did say it I have em the UK way (the Proper way)  :Great_Britain:  or  sometimes the gay boy way  :-*

 :LolLolLolLol: :LolLolLolLol: :LolLolLolLol:
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal