Bicycle Mechanics - Brake Levers - Missing a part?

Hey guys.

I'm thinking of changing the brake levers on my bike for a spare set i have which are a lot smoother, and I find seem to fit better in my hand/fingers, if that makes sense.

Only problem is, they seem to be missing a screw, as shown in pics.

Spare levers:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w33/dirty_luke/levers001.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w33/dirty_luke/levers002.jpg

Current levers:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w33/dirty_luke/levers003.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w33/dirty_luke/levers004.jpg

A few questions:

What does this screw do? If it adjusts something, what does it adjust?

Will it be ok to use the levers without this screw in place? If not, will I be able to use the screw which is in my current levers?

Also, is it fairly straight forward to do the switch?

Sorry about any silly questions, I'm still learning :P

Thanks,
Luke.

That screw is called a reach adjuster. It can adjust how far the levers are from the bar in their at rest position. (ie screw it in and the levers move closer to the bar..............this movement comes out of your total throw however ) If you like the levers in their full out position, you don't need the screw.

As to using your existing screws, if the thread fits the pattern in the hole then they will work.

Thanks for that mate. Yeah, I'm fine with the levers in the full out position, that's how I've always had them. Should be good then :D

Are you sure you aren't missing the barrel adjusters too? (the rusty bits with the wire slot at the "inside" end of the brake lever?) Assuming your wire sheaths don't slide straight through you can do without them, but they do make adjusting brake pad clearance to rim more easier.

There's no standard size thread for barrel adjusters, so it's hard to tell whether you'll be able to reuse the ones from your current levers.

Are you sure you aren't missing the barrel adjusters too? (the rusty bits with the wire slot at the "inside" end of the brake lever?) Assuming your wire sheaths don't slide straight through you can do without them, but they do make adjusting brake pad clearance to rim more easier.

There's no standard size thread for barrel adjusters, so it's hard to tell whether you'll be able to reuse the ones from your current levers.

I was assuming I could just use the ones I currently have?

I suppose I will find out tomorrow :lol:

lol @ all my rusty parts

I was assuming I could just use the ones I currently have? If they fit - sure. But as I said, there's no standard thread, so keep your fingers crossed.


lol @ all my rusty parts
Se eit as a badge of honor, and as proof of this bike getting used.
Among the street racing crowd there's a nickname for cars that although being street "legal" never see any casual use - "trailer queens". Maybe we should have something similar for the bikes people have but rarely use because the route is too pot-holed, there's a chance of rain, too big risk of flats with all that roadside debris ASO...

If they fit - sure. But as I said, there's no standard thread, so keep your fingers crossed.

Se eit as a badge of honor, and as proof of this bike getting used.
Among the street racing crowd there's a nickname for cars that although being street "legal" never see any casual use - "trailer queens". Maybe we should have something similar for the bikes people have but rarely use because the route is too pot-holed, there's a chance of rain, too big risk of flats with all that roadside debris ASO...

hahaha :lol:

Yeah I know of trailer queens and the likes :P

Installed them successfully.

Luckily, the barrel adjuster was the same thread.

What about us analy retentive riders that are regular commuters but we fuss over our bikes so much that we're constantly asked "is that another new bike you just got?". The subgroup that would be apoplectic if we were to ever find a speck of actual rust on our bikes. The ones that clean their chains after every two or three rain commutes. There must be a term for us oh great dabac.... :D

To each his own I suppose. If you have the time, the inclination and the money, and as it doesn't prevent you from being an integregrated and contributing member of society, then who am I to comment?;)

I do tend to take pretty good care of my stuff, and my "nice" bike gets at least two good shines(i.e. every surface cleaned and treated someway) each year. Functionally they certainly get what they need.
But then again I'm no longer concerned at all if there are obvious signs of use on the bike.
Caught a friend once as he was cleaning out the underside of his saddle(between the rails, over/forward of the clamp area) using a toothbrush.
I found that a tad excessive on a MTB in regular use. He OTOH thought it was perfectly normal, and said to his defense:" I am using a discarded tooth brush, you know."