Looking to switch out my brake levers on my road bike. It has downtube shifters, so It really is just the brrakes. Problem is, bike tutor, sheldon brown, and others dont outline how to install/remove them. Anyone have a quick link for this easy task?

With the brake cable detached from the brake, squeeze the lever.
Peek into the opening between the lever and the hood. There's an hex bolt in there to loosen the band clamp holding the lever to the bars.

Sometimes there is a slot or hole on the front of the brake lever that you stick the end of your hex key through...others you have to squeeze the lever to access the bolt. Normally you need either a 4mm or 5mm allen/hex key for the bolt.

-j

On an older brake lever it may require a large flat-bladed screwdriver.

thanks all!

I am trying to install a lever on an inexpensive road brake. It is clamped onto the handlebar and the cable fits nicely. I think you are referring to the part that is holding me back from having a ready front brake. Behind the pivot (closer to the handlebar) on the clamp/brake lever housing there is a space for the lever to get pinned in between the up and down part of the lever clamp/brake lever housing. I have tons of allen and phillips screws but it seems I have none tight enough to finish the job. Seems that all of my allen bolts of adequate length are too thick. I had a phillips screw I was trying with a nut, that appeared to be less than 1mm shy of filling the clamp/housing holes and appeared to be very loose in the road lever hole. Would appreciate specific sizes and/or types to look for. Thank you.

Pictures of what you trying to describe might help.
Jon

+1...I have no idea what he is being referenced in the description.