Handful of Colorful Limited Edition Paul Components available in Pink, Mint Green, Purple, Blue, Red, Orange, and Gold

Only thing missing is some RASTA!!! Yeah that’s right I said it.

I have Paul’s Thumbies, Love Lever, and the Motolite brake. Used them for going Around-The-World this past year and performed flawlessly except for the brake. Pain in the ass to adjust. Instead of simply taking an allen key to center the brake pads, you gotta use a 15mm cone wrench and guess the position to tighten. Threw them away somewhere in Turkey.

Yeah, pullmyfinger, you just didn’t have enough patience, ha! Try to be more patient next time you’re riding your bike around the world! Kyle, you’re funny guy.

The brake performance itself was fine. It actually had more stopping power than my previous v-brakes, more vertical pad adjustment, and the coolest noodle engagement (if noodles can be cool…). The problem – actually more of an annoyance – was centering the pads. On my SRAM or Shimano V’s, all you had to do was turn the allen key and you’ll visually see the pads moving closer or away from the rim. With the Motolite, I had to release the spring, guess the tension, then tighten with a cone spanner. Repeat. Some people may get it right on the first shot, I didn’t. Now don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t an all day affair – it only took me an extra few minutes, but when I compare the ease of centering v-brakes vs the Motolite, I ditched them. Call me crazy. Anyhow, like I said, I love Paul’s stuff and more people commented on the Love Lever during my 17,000 mile trip than anything else on my bike. And then there were folks who were baffled as to how the Thumbies operated.

The bolt holding the spring. Is that good enough for ya?

That adjustment is similar to a lot of high-end BMX U-brakes, and is pretty quick once you’re familiar with the process. Not for everyone, but looks good to me.

Leave the cable in place. Hold 15 mm cone spanner on adjuster. Ever so slightly back off Allen bolt, apply pressure to spanner and observe centering of pads. Tighten Allen. Done. Takes less time to do than it did to read this. Bolts and adjuster will not strip like tiny little Phillips screw on other brakes. No need to go back and and forth as pullmy was describing.

First of all pullmy, indeed and obviously you were doing it wrong. Glad to help and all – particularly on the point about the advantages of the robustness of a critical 15mm adjuster vs 2mm one for long distance touring applications. But more importantly and honestly, you ride around the world with ( lack of ) mechanical skills and an attitude like that ? ?

@pullmyfinger — You’re doing it right! Indeed these brakes are finicky to adjust, anyone who says they aren’t have not actually used them. The brakes look good, stop well and are ‘Merkin-made but still finicky. These are perfect showroom or super color coordinated weekend warrior guy brakes but not a good choice for riding around the world.