New-Old-Stock Shimano 500EX Aero Brake Levers w/SLR Technology

Description

New-Old-Stock Shimano 500EX Aero Brake Levers w/SLR Technology...Dark Gray
Thank you for your interest in this item and please visit our store for other offerings. We have very reasonable shipping terms and combine orders to save money (for customers) on shipping costs. We also maintain customer friendly return/refund/exchange policies.
Product Description:
This offering is for one matched set of new-old-stock Shimano 500EX aero brake levers (Model BL-A500) in an anodized dark gray finish. Please also note when we say this is a set, we want to confirm the set includes a true right and left brake lever (as Shimano incorporated minor right/left design differences in many of their brake lever models by the late 80's). This model number number/name may not be as common as others in the Shimano line-up. With this in mind, I don't know that I can tell any meaningful difference between this particular model lever (which is considered a top-end sport/fitness model) and the entry-level racing RX100 or 105 levers from this same era. I can even confirm the scale weights are the same. So in the end, the cosmetic finish may be the most significant difference.
These lever sets were in current production from the very late 80's to the early 90's and incorporated Shimano's SLR technology, which is an acronym for Shimano Linear Response system. This technology represented Shimano's first real attempt to improve the braking system and it's evident with these levers. Probably the most noteworthy of the design improvements is the spring assisted lever design that results in an overall lively feel and crisp recoil action. Everything we have read about the SLR design focuses on the intent to reduce friction in the braking system and we really do believe there was improvement in this area with these levers (as well as other Shimano levers that incorporate this technology).
We also like the fact that oversized cable housing stops are not needed with these levers, as Shimano designed the cable entry point within the lever body so that a standard/smaller (and much more common) ferrule will seat properly and allow the cable to pass through to the lever (as intended). Their weight is also respectable at about 255 grams (for the set) per our digital postal scale.
As for condition, these levers are new and unused, but they generally show some shopwear. We do not see much in the way of deep scratches, but there are usually minor scratches and marks. I can also confirm the brake hoods are in good shape (so still soft/pliable).
Listing Update...Please also note we have begun updating the pictures to reflect the next lever set that will sell/ship (since we are coming to the end of our stocks). So the pictures in the sequence to the left represent the next lever set that will ship. To this end, I can confirm this next lever set shows well. I see some light scratches and some of these marks do not show up very well in the pictures, but the overall cosmetic condition is still nice. Please also note that while we have multiple quantities listed for sale, we will repeatedly update the pictures to reflect the next offering that will sell/ship.
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Note to international customers regarding shipping...
We apologize to those that feel some of our international shipping charges are too high. We only charge actual shipping rates, but once an order exceeds a certain amount, we hesitate to use the least expensive US Postal Services First Class International service. We feel this way, because this service is not trackable or insurable...so more risk of loss. We prefer the US Postal Services Priority Mail International service for more expensive orders, because this service is trackable at USPS.com and insurable...so less risk of loss. Unfortunately, this service is more expensive, especially for smaller/lighter packages, relative to the First Class International service. We are sorry about these higher shipping costs, but hopefully our notes help to explain why this is the case.
Note to international customers regarding customs...
We also apologize to those that feel their country import taxes, duties and brokerage fees are excessive. As a small US business, we are required by customs' laws to declare each order as a retail sale. Additionally, the declared order value must be equal to total store purchases and/or winning auction bids (less any shipping costs, as these are not considered in the declared value). As a result, each customer will be responsible for paying his/her own country taxes, duties and brokerage fees, which will be collected upon delivery. Again, we apologize for these additional costs, but we cannot afford the penalties and fines that come with breaking customs' laws...so we have to strictly abide by them.