Installing SRAM 500S hooded brake levers
05-23-20, 11:22 AM
#1
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Installing SRAM 500S hooded brake levers
I am attempting to install these levers on my 12 speed SRAM Eagle bike......
I followed the SRAM link that came with brake levers, which just lead me to a very general search. I tried youtube but came up empty there. I did a general Duck/Duck Go search which also did not turn up the video I was searching for?
I followed the SRAM link that came with brake levers, which just lead me to a very general search. I tried youtube but came up empty there. I did a general Duck/Duck Go search which also did not turn up the video I was searching for?
05-23-20, 05:04 PM
#2
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What are you trying to do? Eagle is an MTB group that normally would have hydraulic disc brakes and the S500 levers are road levers for mechanical brakes.
05-24-20, 08:04 AM
#3
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Actually, my bike is a Focus Mares CX (Cyclocross bike) converted to 1x12, gravel bike. The braking system is the same one that came on the bike HY RD TRP, cable actuated/mineral oil system!
I ran a riser bar for a while. The drop bars that came on the bike had me in an uncomfortable low position.....You may see that I put a 110mm/17’ extension bar on the bike to put my body in a relatively higher position. I am 70.5 yrs young, so my back may not be as flexible as it once was...
This is where I am...I can’t figure out how to connect the existing brake lines to the new hooded drops. The other problem is what MicroShift shifter to use. I am use to the Thumb Shifter which, does not seem to want to go on the drop bars. I bought a MicroShift Bar End shifter, in case I could not place the thumb shifter on the bar. The Bar End MicroShift does fit in the end of the drop bar, so I know it will work.
I ran a riser bar for a while. The drop bars that came on the bike had me in an uncomfortable low position.....You may see that I put a 110mm/17’ extension bar on the bike to put my body in a relatively higher position. I am 70.5 yrs young, so my back may not be as flexible as it once was...
This is where I am...I can’t figure out how to connect the existing brake lines to the new hooded drops. The other problem is what MicroShift shifter to use. I am use to the Thumb Shifter which, does not seem to want to go on the drop bars. I bought a MicroShift Bar End shifter, in case I could not place the thumb shifter on the bar. The Bar End MicroShift does fit in the end of the drop bar, so I know it will work.
Last edited by McMitchell; 05-24-20 at 08:29 AM.
05-24-20, 08:41 AM
#4
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Other parts, brake lines, bar tape... that may need to go on this bike! I suspect I may need a cable to run from the MicroShift unit to the shifting mech...I got the bell & mirror installed!
Last edited by McMitchell; 05-24-20 at 10:06 AM.
05-24-20, 08:48 AM
#5
Blamester
The cable connection is going to be in the same place as the old one. It has to be pulled by the lever and anchored to the body by the outer cable.
You have to remove both the cable and the lever to do the swap but not the outer cable. The old cable and outer should still work fine.
You have to remove both the cable and the lever to do the swap but not the outer cable. The old cable and outer should still work fine.
05-24-20, 09:58 AM
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The cables need to be run through the lever first and then through the cable housing and attached to the brake. You probably need different brake cables, because road levers use a different type of cable end, and its likely that your existing cable housing is too short. Pull the lever and look inside the opening. You should see a hole that the cable gets inserted through. You will have to pull the hoods forward from the bar, to expose the opening where the cable will exit. The cable housing will need to be seated in the same hole that the cable exits through. Run the cable through the housing and attach it to the brake.
05-24-20, 10:31 AM
#7
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Fortunately I bought matching cables for the SRAM 500S brakes from Cartecay Bike Shop. They ordered the SRAM 500Ss for me. I try to support my local bike shop when I can, especially during a Pandemic. I think I threaded the brake cable through, as described?
Now I assume I run the brake cable through the existing measured cable housing, though the tube in the bike & out the disc brake system exit?
Now I assume I run the brake cable through the existing measured cable housing, though the tube in the bike & out the disc brake system exit?
Last edited by McMitchell; 05-24-20 at 10:39 AM.
05-24-20, 10:57 AM
#8
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Picture of where the cable needs to enter the existing housing? I am a little concerned that I may need to remove a plate at bottom of bike to run the cable through a housing there? I believe Cartecay Bikes had to retread for the screw holding that cover on....guess I will try to remove it and see!
Hmmm, I may have to get my actual bike stand out!
Hmmm, I may have to get my actual bike stand out!
05-24-20, 03:45 PM
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Peel back the rubber hood and you should see where the cable exits. Slide the cable into the housing and seat the housing into the brake lever body. You may have to remove the end cap from the existing housing, I can't remember if SRAM brakes use the end cap on the lever end or not.(you'll know if it doesn't fit easily with the end cap) I suspect that the brake cable housing runs the full length of the frame, so you shouldn't have to worry about that. Make sure you test to see if you have enough cable housing to allow you to turn the handlebars both ways.
