Road brake and shift levers

How to choose your road levers

On a road bike, the lever combines braking and shifting in one component. Its compatibility therefore depends on the number of sprockets and the type of brake, as well as hose length if it is hydraulic. It is the drivetrain component with the most compatibility constraints.

Sold individually, left and right

• The left lever controls the front derailleur, while the right rear derailleur. Both are sold separately, so you can replace just one side after a crash.
• A pair costs less than two individual levers and is the obvious choice for a complete build.
• On a single-chainring bike, the left lever is only used for braking: it is available in a version without shifting, with no shifting mechanism.

Rim or hydraulic brakes

• Rim brake : the lever pulls a cable. Straightforward to fit, less expensive and easy to replace directly.
• Hydraulic (HRD, Flat Mount) : the lever contains the master cylinder and is often sold with its calliper and hose already filled and bled — 950 mm at the front, 1,800 mm at the rear for SRAM.
• A pre-bled assembly avoids bleeding during installation, provided you do not disconnect the hose. If you need to shorten it, have a bleed kit ready.

There is no getting around the number of speeds

An 11-speed lever cannot operate a 12-speed derailleur: the cable pull per click is different. The same applies to electronic systems, where the protocol changes. Check the exact generation of your groupset — an R7000 and an R7100 are not the same thing.

Time trial and triathlon

The satellite shifters — Shimano SW-RS801-E, SRAM Blips — fit to the ends of aero extensions and let you shift the electronic drivetrain from the aero position. They supplement the main levers; they do not replace them.

Spare parts

Front covers, bolts and lever hoods can be ordered separately. A cover cracked in a crash is no reason to buy a whole new lever.

To find out more: Everything you need to know about 12-speed road drivetrains

See also: Road lever hoods · Complete road brakes · Road drivetrain spares