Bicycle Mechanics - Brake Lever

I broke my front brake lever and I am wondering what the best way to ge the old lever off is, do I have to take off the grips to get it off


I have the new lever already and it is a bit different than my old one, will it make much of a difference in the cable length?


thanks,
sorry for my ignorance, it is my first time changing a lever

Is this a drop bar or flat handlebar?
Any make or model?
For drops, you have to remove the bar tape, fold back the rubber hood and find the bolt for the clamp, usually through the front of the lever housing, with an allen key or screwdriver.
There are 2 styles of brake cable routing. Old models take the cable off the top of the housing, directly to the brake. Modern ones run the cable (taped) along the handlebar, inside the bar tape.
You may as well replace the cable housing while you have the bar stripped down.

For drops, you have to remove the bar tape, fold back the rubber hood and find the bolt for the clamp, usually through the front of the lever housing, with an allen key or screwdriver.
Not if it's just a plain old lever. The lever easily detaches from the body without the rest of the drill.You are talking about removing the whole assembly.

Yes, if this is the case and you have a spare lever, just loosen the cable. Then you can pull the lever downwards and see a screw inside. Unscrew this, slide out the pin and replace it with another lever.

If you do not have a spare sometimes the clamping mechanism can be interchanged (if this is not the broken part) and replace the entire brake lever and hood.

thanks guys

I'll try just changing the lever rather than the entire thing