Basic question about brake lever installation
 

I'm swapping out my drops for TT bars and barend reverse levers. Basic question: do I need to run new cable or can I use the cable that's already installed. If I can use the installed cable, how do I get it out of the drop levers?

Thanks.

Apply the bake lever. Look inside. Push the brake cable up from the bottom. You will see the mushroom bead inside the brake come out of it's seat. Sometimes it will push right out so you can grab it. Sometimes I have to grab it with some needle nose pliers. Pull the cable out of the brake lever.

Make sure the TT brake lever uses the same brake cable bead (mushroom) otherwise removing the cable (from the brake lever ) is a waste of time. It might use the type of bead found on MTB brake cables (keg). Can't say for sure ... just check before disassembly.

Thank you. Very helpful.

How do I get the cable out of the housing? Is there a space in the housing that allows the cable to be pulled out?

To clarify: the mushroom sits in the housing and the housing appears to be closed. How is the cable taken out of the housing without either pulling the whole cable out or cutting it?

To remove the cable you must unfasten it from the brake caliper itself. Loosen the pinch bolt at the caliper and pull the cable out. Then, hold the brake lever compressed so you can see the "mushroom" and push the cable inward from the other end. The mushroom will pop out to where you can grab it and pull the rest of the cable free.

However, I have two comments:

1. The old cable is probably not be long enough to reach the brakes from it's new position at the end of the TT bars. You might be able to use the old rear cable for the front brake but will likely need a new cable for the rear. You will also probably need new cable housing for the same reason.

2. If you are that uncertain how brakes are installed and cabled I respectfully recommend you let a bike shop do it or have an experienced friend show you how. Brakes are no place to use a "trial and error" approach as the errors can have very serious consequences.

Haha. You mean I might kill myself. Yeah, I'm getting the feeling that is a distinct possibility.

Ah! Your thinking it has slots like straight bar brakes where you just apply the brake, unhitch the "keg" bead and slide the inner cable through slots and *bingo* the cable assembly is completely free if the brake lever.

That ain't gonna happen with a road brake lever. You guessed it already. You gotta pull the entire length of cable through the brake lever and off the bike. Don't forget to cut the little cable end swedge off the end of the cable first.

HillRider made some very important observations concerning cable and housing lengths and especially making sure it functions correctly after reassembly. Good advice!

1. Cable probably won't be long enough.
2. Most TT levers use a different end (mushroom on STIs, round on TTs).
3. Cables are cheap ($3) and probably could use replacing.

Always get the best brake-cables available. A few extra dollars can save your neck. The brakes are the most important part of any bicycle that is moving.

Most TT levers with external cable runs use MTB cables. Most TT levers with internal cable runs use Road cables. Ie: Cane Creek, Tektro similar = MTB. SRAM and others that have the cable exit the lever inside the bar usually use road. Check first as this is not a hard and fast rule.