A brake apparatus for a racing bicycle includes a housing mounted on either handlebar and comprising an internal recess; a brake lever pivotably secured to the housing and having one end pivotably disposed in the recess; a spring depressible detent rod slidably disposed in the brake lever and comprising a head on an outer surface of the brake lever, an annular flange, and an annular groove between the flange and the head; a brake cable having one end attached to the brake lever and the other end attached to a brake; and a locking member having one end urged against the flange. Pushing the head to cause one end of the locking member to fall into the groove and cause one end of the brake lever to fall into the recess will loosen the brake cable.