Bicycle Mechanics - Replacing brake/hood covers, does the tape have to come off?

I have a Schwinn Voyager that I use for rainy days and long rides, but it needs new hood covers. I had new bar tape on , but forgot to ask for new covers, they are the old yellow ones, very dry and hard. Anyways, can new ones be put on without removing the tape? Can I get covers that are thicker, more comfort for those long touring rides? thanks,

Assuming that they are Non Ergo/STI levers yes
quite easily. If they are Ergo/Sti yes but not so easy!
You will have to release the cables and remove the
housing from the stops. then just work the hoods over
the brake body.
FYI when I built my Ergo equipped bike one of the most
difficult and frustrating tasks was replacing the
hoods on ERGO.
It was at that point that I began lusting for
my old Modolo hoods.

Marty

The system on the Voyager is friction shift. Would I be better off doing it myself, or would it be cheap at the lbs? I havent seen hood covers on the shelves - surprized my Zinn book doesnt address this fix it, it shows bar wrapping, but not replacing the covers.

Old brake levers are pretty easy.
1) release brake cable at the calipers (may have
to remove ferrule on cable end).
2) squeeze levers to reveal the barrel end of cable,
push barrel end out of its seat and pull cable out of
lever completely.
3) remove old hoods pulling over body of
brake levers.
4) use soap or talc as a lubricant and fit the hoods over
the body, but be careful the gum hoods are known to
tear.
rethread brake cable (now is a good time to replace
old cable) through body and out top of lever,
thread through the cable housing (also good time
to replace), grease the cables lightly now also
readjust brakes and you should be good to go.

I highly recommend Modolo brake hoods if you can find
them. should be about $20 for new gum hoods. they are
"anatomic" and very comfortable. I see them all the time
on e-bay. I've also bought old levers from Renesance cycles
in the Netherlands to get a white pair for my trek (hoods were
going for $39, levers were $19, go figure.
Much cheaper than old World Logo Campy hoods which sell for high dollar ($200 for 6 hoods is current record?).
Marty

You may have to look around for the new hoods. I wanted to replace mine for my Suntour Superbe Pro (1983 vintage--a good year). I went to just about every bikeshop in Bonn (and there are quite a few). No one had anything that fit. Finally, in place which was no more a repair-room with a cash register, a guy pulled out a pair of old, but unused Dura Ace levers (i.e. levers and hoods). He offered them up at 10 Mark. They work just fine.

Alas, since I dumped my SPD pedals, the levers are the only thing that prevent me from saying I have a Shimano-Free bike!

Willy St. Bicycle Works is, of course, your best bet in Madison, but you might look for some smaller shops that have some back stock.

Cheers,
Jamie

Originally posted by jmlee

Alas, since I dumped my SPD pedals, the levers are the only thing that prevent me from saying I have a Shimano-Free bike!

I have some Modolo levers that should work PM me.
also, as stated above, check E-bay for Suntour.
Marty