Figure 1:
Road brake lever
Road bicycles, track bicycles, triathlon bicycles, and cyclocross bicycles all use drop-type handlebars. This type of handlebar uses different brake levers than those used with a flat-type handlebar.
Choose the type of dropbar brake lever on your bicycle:
· Standard, or traditional, brake levers (Figure 1)
· Shift/brake levers (Figure 2)
For some brake levers, there are separate instructions. See the manufacturer's owner's manual.
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Figure 1: Road brake lever |
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Figure 2: Road brake lever with shift function |
With most brakes for road bikes, the mechanism for opening the brakes is on the brake caliper. However, some systems put the mechanism on the lever.
To open the brake with Campagnolo Ergopower levers, slightly depress the brake lever, and push the button (Figure 4) until it is flush with the lever body. Release the lever and the brake will open.
To close, reverse the instructions.
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Figure 4: Brake opening button (Campagnolo) |
Every 3 months tighten the attachment bolts on the brake levers (Figures 1-4) to the torque specifications.
With some brake levers, you can change the reach, the distance from the handlebar to the lever.
Not all levers are designed to allow reach adjustment.
1. Insert the shim into the lever body (Figure 4).
There are two thicknesses of shims offering two additional reach settings.
2. If needed after adjusting the reach, re-adjust the pad clearance.
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Figure 4: Reach adjustment shim |
Every 3 months lubricate your brake lever pivots with SynLube or a similar light oil.
