Still researching a potential MTB to gravel setup and wanted to know if I could use Sora R3000 brifters with the Tektro mechanical disc brakes.
I'm not yet versed on short vs long pull and the frame I intend to use doesn't have cantilever brake bosses – just IS.
by hoon_tx
4 Comments
Road = short pull
MTB = long pull
You need to swap your brakes to be compatible with your levers (get road brakes). You also need to make sure the cable pull will work for the Rear Derailleur and front derailleur (if you have one).
Alternatively, you can get long pull road levers, keep the brakes you have, and then use bar end shifters or something (this is what I did for my drop bar MTB)
No. Your levers are short pull, your (mountain) calipers are long pull. You can buy those calipers in short pull.
[BB5](https://www.rei.com/product/169137/avid-bb5-road-mechanical-disc-brake)
However, I think it’s worth it to upgrade to [BB7](https://www.rei.com/product/169138/avid-bb7-mountain-mechanical-disc-brake).
What everyone has said so far is correct, but another alternative would be to install [Travel Agents](https://problemsolversbike.com/products/travel-agent) inline to adapt the short pull levers to the long pull calipers.
The Tektro Mira calipers will work if you can find them and assuming they’re the same size as your frame mounts, that’s what’s on [my gravel bike](https://www.halfords.com/bikes/gravel-bikes/voodoo-nakisi-adventure-bike—s-m-l-frames-452974.html) equipped with Sora and it’s quite a common setup on budget gravel bikes, at least before GRX was an option.