Cycling UK Forum

Admin: on behalf of Grandad

Is there such a thing?

I want to convert a tandem from drops to straights and one of the brake levers controls a rear drag(?) brake on the hub as well as one of the cantilevers.

Admin: on behalf of meic

It certainly exists on motorbikes. You can buy a splitter box, where one cable can turn into two cables, I am not sure if the nylon internals are good enough for "terror striken" brake cable forces.

Admin: on behalf of m100

This is how the Windcheetah recumbent trike does it (one brake lever to the two front drum brakes) A piece of round aluminium bar with a couple of inner cable sized holes drilled through. This fits through the standard barrel hole in the brake lever - the lever itself fits into a custom casting but the basic principle would work on a tandem. I'm sure someone, maybe SJS supply something specifically for this functionality , if not it's a pretty quick job to knock one up with a dremel and a 1/16" drill. You will also need something to restrain the cable outer, a flat plate with a pair of 6mm holes part drilled through and a 2mm hole drilled right through, file a dish/groove to fit over the brake lever fixed portion and Robert is your mothers brother.

Admin: on behalf of PW

If all else fails, the drag brake can be operated from a thumbshift gear lever, which allows it to be run "hands off" on long descents.

I have used this double cable approach with drops,but found it almost impossible to achieve acceptable performance from both brakes.
I know use a friction style derailleur for the drag brake on my now straight. barred tandem
I find this a much better arrangement.
Ive not seen the type of lever that you are looking for , try the Tandem Club or SJS cycles

Try Bike Care. They sell parking brakes & a double brake lever for disabled applications like pulling both brakes on with one hand. I use the parking brake latching lever on a trike.

http://www.problemsolversbike.com do a 'cable doubler' which allows one brake lever to operate two brakes. Have a look on their site for details - SJS sell them.

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BMX bikes use a 'cable doubler' on their front brakes when they are fitted with 360deg rotation forks. I have a couple lying around in the bottom drawer.