I stumbled across this company on the net after looking for a replacement lever for my brakes after bending one in a fall. Not even known here in the UK, this small rider owned company was setup in 2004, making after market replacement CNC brake levers and dropouts for all well known bikes and disc brake manufactures. Based in Abbotsford in British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada and a stones throw from Vancouver and Whistler. The main thinking behind the company was to make products that are durable and affordable. With many companies lately offering lazer engraving, different colour anodising etc etc and charging up to £40 for a pair of replacement levers. Decisive Machine's take on this is "We are just trying to make straight forward lever without the "bling" factor. The "bling" factor the consumer pays for. Lazer engraving and decals just costs the rider more and doesn't make him or her a better rider. " All of thier products are beautifully CNC'ed and anodoised in one colour and one colour only Stealth Black. I ended up buying two sets of levers. One set for the Hope Mini lever and one for Shimano XT.

Hope Mini Levers - Crisp and black.

Shimano, old (bottom) and new (top).

Both lever designs are very similar and are nice and thick compaired to the standard lever. this gives a firmer, more positive lever feel. Fitting was a doddle on the Hope levers,  Shimano levers need slighly more imagination with a vice and a socket set (not forgetting to undo the little grub screw holding the pin on) but once fitted there is no question that it is an improvement both in looks and performance. So if you have bent your brake lever in a smash or have a few pounds spare and just feel the need the need the upgrade "something" on your bike, give these levers a go. Who needs the bling factor? Remember they are just levers and for only $22 a set you can spend the change on Haribo to get you to the next race.

Shimano XT, freshly fitted.

As of yet they have no UK importer but you can get in touch with them direct. Don't forget to tell them where you read the review.

http://www.decisivemachine.com/

Decisive Machine & Innovations
#3 2120 Paramount Cresent
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
V2T6A5

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-- Pete