Complete gravel brakes

Lever and calliper supplied together

This category brings together complete sets sold as one unit: the lever, its hose already filled and bled, and the matching calliper. It’s the simplest way to replace a complete braking system or equip a bare frame, because it eliminates the bleeding step.

What you avoid, what you accept

• You avoid the bleeding, tools and brake fluid: the system arrives ready to fit.
• You accept a fixed hose length — generally 950 mm at the front and 1800 mm at the rear with SRAM. You need to cut it to the right length, which means fitting the olive and insert again, then bleeding the system if you open it.
• Most sets are supplied without a rotor. You’ll need to buy it separately.

Left or right, and why it matters

Sets are usually sold individually : ‘left lever and front calliper’, ‘right lever and rear calliper’. In the French configuration, the left lever operates the front brake. The right lever has the gear shifter; the left is single-chainring for 1x (braking only) or dual-sided for 2x (operating the front derailleur). Check this before ordering a single unit.

Flat Mount or Post Mount

The calliper mounting standard is specified for each product. Flat Mount on recent gravel frames, Post Mount on older frames and some suspension forks. The frame determines the fitting, not the groupset brand.

The fluid

Mineral oil with Shimano and Campagnolo, DOT with SRAM. The two must never be mixed. Because the system arrives pre-filled, the choice has already been made — but remember it for servicing and replacement brake pads.

Take care when cutting to length

Many of these sets are also listed in the Gravel shifters. If you’re looking for a lever on its own so you can keep your callipers, that’s where to look.

To find out more: How to adjust your bike brakes

See also: Gravel shifters · Gravel brake callipers · Gravel brake pads