Installing Brakes
 

I'm swapping my drops for bullhorns, which means I'm switching from a hood/lever brake setup to a TT lever. I would like to swap everything myself, but I have zero experience doing so. Everything I need (I think) is coming in the mail over the next few days. Anyone have any advice or helpful websites for how to install levers, run cables, wrap bars, etc.? Basically, I'm tired of being a little b*tch and running to the LBS any time I need something minor switched/repaired/installed.

the bicycle mechanics sub forum here will have everything you need.
It's pretty simple to do.

you will need to hook up your lever(s) to your bars, hook up the cable (the little tab goes in the corresponding hole in the lever, run the cable and housing to your caliper. measure. Measure again.
take the cable out of the housing
you need to cut the housing after you take the cable out, and you will not cut the cable at this time.

put the cable back into your housing, run everything again, and put the cable through the little hole in your caliper. you should have some nut/bolt with a hole in it that will tighten down and hold the cable in place.

you will somehow need to tighten the caliper and tighten the bolt to hold the cable at the same time. this is so the cable is not installed too loose. you will need to test this out a few times.

when everything is done, cut the cable.

When everything is done, cut the end of the cable.

Is there a bike co-op type thing in Philly? Maybe check out these folks? http://www.freeridepgh.org/ They should have any specialized tools you need, and will be able to show you how to do it yourself.

Thx for the help/links. My new bars just came today, so I'm just waiting on the rest of the parts.

OOh, yes. the end of the cable.:D

(sorry for the commercial interruption).

Dijos, hope you dont mind that I stole my sig back; looks like youre done with it.

No Problem. Someday, I'll say something witty enough to make it into someone's sig.

use some good cutters to cut the housing if you can, then file it nice and square and use something pointy to open up the hole. one key to cabling is make sure the housing is a length that enters the brake (or derailleur) in a straight line.

Bikechurch. Right near 40th and Locust? I think thats where it is.

Yeah Dijos...I don't think I ever properly thanked you for immortalizing me in your sig.

Thats good tip. I usually touch up the ends with a bench grinder. One side is a wire wheel and removes debris from the opening...

Brakes are pretty simple, and only way to mess this up it to cut the cable wrong. Other than that, just dive right in. Unless you're just an idiot...

i feel like i need to best you bristol; that or the dijosarometer needs readjustement.

There can be only one.

BTW: Your sig is now a meta-sig.