I need to replace my 24mm Cane Creek cross levers with Tektro 26mm levers.

I know this sounds stupid, but how do you replace levers?

Loosen bolt on brake that holds cable. Push on cable so it pops out at lever end. Pull out cable. Unbolt lever. Bolt on new lever. Lube cable. Feed cable into lever, housing, and brake. Squeeze brake down and tighten bolt on brake that holds cable. Adjust reach of brake lever using little allen bolt thing on brake. Adjust brake using barrel adjuster, unbolting cable may be necessary as well to tighten or loosen.

Yeah, the bolt is hidden inside of the lever. Squeeze it and look inside.

These are cross levers, that's for road style levers.

+1

Another beer?

Question #1 - The little ball shaped piece on the lever end of the cable, is it supposed to recess into the lever or does it stay outside of the lever?

Question #2 - Does it hurt to not have the brake end of the cable not crimped or covered in something?

re: lubing the the cables, I was told by my shop that brake housing has a teflon coating on the inside and I could either not lube it or put a really, really light oil on it, thinner than chain lube. I've been running my brake cable dry with no issues. I'd be careful with heavier lubes because you may gum things up.

1. It will recess as far as it goes once you tighten everything up. It may stick out a little but that doesn't matter.

2. No, it's fine not to crimp. But frayed cables are kinda nasty and pokey. If you cut the cable neatly, you could get away without a crimp for sure.