The title alone doesn't really explain what I'm talking about, does it?
I've replaced the left brake lever on my cyclocross bike
with a BL-S705 from the Alfine (comfort bike component line) grade.
Alfine is a component group for comfort bikes,
but there are electronic STI levers available for internal 11-speed or 8-speed systems.
Since Alfine uses rear shifting only with a single front chainring,
the left lever becomes just a brake lever. However,
↑Since it shares the bracket with 6770 Ultegra,
if you use it on the left lever while running the right lever and rear derailleur from 6770 with a front single setup,
the "left and right bracket shapes become identical."
When combining with non-Shimano cantilever brakes,
there are levers that are lighter in weight or have lighter brake pull compared to the BL-S705,
but if you prioritize not feeling any discomfort at the bracket position
when paired with the ST-6770, there's really no better choice than this.
The shift switch (built into the Joycard mk2) connected to the top junction—
instead of a cradle-style mount, I made a custom mount by modifying a Garmin Edge bracket.
↑Nice and thin.
The Joycard is connected directly to the junction without going through the right STI lever,
so it can be removed quickly without having to peel off the bar tape.
Basically, I just wanted to be able to shift the rear derailleur even without the Joycard,
so the point is there's this option available without having to buy an ST-6770 left lever.
This brake lever is compatible with caliper brakes from the 7900 generation onward,
and with cantilever brakes only on BR-CX70 and CX50.
I measured the distance between the fulcrum and the point of application with calipers.
When I applied that to the SRAM lever I used to use... it's totally different.
To use an analogy, current Shimano levers have the mechanical advantage of V-brake levers,
while SRAM and other levers have the mechanical advantage of cantilever brake levers.
The brake arch is a TRP EuroX, and this difference in ratio shows up in how the lever feels when you squeeze it.
I wavered between going for lighter brake pull (and better stopping power) or having matching left and right bracket shapes,
but this time I went with the latter.
If I switched the brakes to BR-CX70, that mechanical advantage issue would be solved.
The setup is simple and braking is effective, but
I don't find what I'm looking for in cantilever brakes in that design, so I rejected it.
This is entirely subjective, of course.
Even with the brake lever return spring removed,
the lever returns sufficiently, so I removed it.
No issues at all.
Also, incidentally, when I remove the bottle cage, having a long battery mount is inconvenient,
so I set up screw holes for a short battery mount
and switched to the short configuration.
I've replaced the left brake lever on my cyclocross bike
with a BL-S705 from the Alfine (comfort bike component line) grade.
Alfine is a component group for comfort bikes,
but there are electronic STI levers available for internal 11-speed or 8-speed systems.
Since Alfine uses rear shifting only with a single front chainring,
the left lever becomes just a brake lever. However,
↑Since it shares the bracket with 6770 Ultegra,
if you use it on the left lever while running the right lever and rear derailleur from 6770 with a front single setup,
the "left and right bracket shapes become identical."
When combining with non-Shimano cantilever brakes,
there are levers that are lighter in weight or have lighter brake pull compared to the BL-S705,
but if you prioritize not feeling any discomfort at the bracket position
when paired with the ST-6770, there's really no better choice than this.
The shift switch (built into the Joycard mk2) connected to the top junction—
instead of a cradle-style mount, I made a custom mount by modifying a Garmin Edge bracket.
↑Nice and thin.
The Joycard is connected directly to the junction without going through the right STI lever,
so it can be removed quickly without having to peel off the bar tape.
Basically, I just wanted to be able to shift the rear derailleur even without the Joycard,
so the point is there's this option available without having to buy an ST-6770 left lever.
This brake lever is compatible with caliper brakes from the 7900 generation onward,
and with cantilever brakes only on BR-CX70 and CX50.
I measured the distance between the fulcrum and the point of application with calipers.
When I applied that to the SRAM lever I used to use... it's totally different.
To use an analogy, current Shimano levers have the mechanical advantage of V-brake levers,
while SRAM and other levers have the mechanical advantage of cantilever brake levers.
The brake arch is a TRP EuroX, and this difference in ratio shows up in how the lever feels when you squeeze it.
I wavered between going for lighter brake pull (and better stopping power) or having matching left and right bracket shapes,
but this time I went with the latter.
If I switched the brakes to BR-CX70, that mechanical advantage issue would be solved.
The setup is simple and braking is effective, but
I don't find what I'm looking for in cantilever brakes in that design, so I rejected it.
This is entirely subjective, of course.
Even with the brake lever return spring removed,
the lever returns sufficiently, so I removed it.
No issues at all.
Also, incidentally, when I remove the bottle cage, having a long battery mount is inconvenient,
so I set up screw holes for a short battery mount
and switched to the short configuration.