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Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:05 pm
by JohnL
Quick (maybe dumb) question. I want to install a new pair of brake levers, do I have to back the cable off before fitting the new levers?
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 12:17 am
by WhiteNoise
Hi John, I can't help you sorry but if Mel comes on board I'm sure he'll jump in.
Check back as other's have changed their's out too. So which lever's did you or are you getting?
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 1:24 am
by JohnL
I picked these up on ebay, got the long version, black levers with red adjusters. The quality is excellent.
Probably best if I wait for my son to install them. As I tell all my friends, between us my son and I know everything, but that's one of the things he knows
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/360729245457 ... 1439.l2649
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 7:53 am
by danieljw
JohnL wrote:I picked these up on ebay, got the long version, black levers with red adjusters. The quality is excellent.
Probably best if I wait for my son to install them. As I tell all my friends, between us my son and I know everything, but that's one of the things he knows
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/360729245457 ... 1439.l2649
i myself was looking at a set of these, but then i realised where they was coming from and didn't want to wait for weeks on end for delivery for a bad quality product.
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 10:25 am
by WhiteNoise
The grips look very nice and their website appears user friendly. That's a plus! How long did they take to arrive? You mentioned you ordered the longer version, sometimes (especially when I wear heavier gloves) I think the levers should be longer. Some folks here that changed their's out claimed braking was different, took longer?

I vaguely remember. I bet you could do the switch John without your son but then doing it with him will be fun (and having a brew or two will move things nicely along

)
Cheers, good luck and share the outcome please
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 2:00 pm
by Mel46
I changed out the levers on both of our pcx 150s. You don't have to do much of anything. It took me about 10 minutes per bike. Once they are connected you may have to adjust the back nut to tighten the cable. Otherwise it is quite easy.
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 6:40 pm
by JohnL
WhiteNoise wrote:The grips look very nice and their website appears user friendly. That's a plus! How long did they take to arrive? You mentioned you ordered the longer version, sometimes (especially when I wear heavier gloves) I think the levers should be longer. Some folks here that changed their's out claimed braking was different, took longer?

I vaguely remember. I bet you could do the switch John without your son but then doing it with him will be fun (and having a brew or two will move things nicely along

)
Cheers, good luck and share the outcome please
They took about 2 weeks to arrive in Oz. I have small hands and prefer the longer levers, if that makes sense. They are also adjustable for reach.
My son inherited my dad's mechanical bent, he owned and ran a small bus line. I usually know what should be done but don't have the confidence that my son Stuart does.
There will be some brews consumed

Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 6:42 pm
by JohnL
Mel46 wrote:I changed out the levers on both of our pcx 150s. You don't have to do much of anything. It took me about 10 minutes per bike. Once they are connected you may have to adjust the back nut to tighten the cable. Otherwise it is quite easy.
Did you loosen the back nut and give the cable some slack before fitting the levers?
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 10:52 am
by Mel46
Nope. You can if you want to, but i found that the replacement levers were easy to insert were the original levers had been. If you are worried about the cable pulling away from you, use something like needle nose plyers ot a hemostat to hold it. Like i said though, i had no problems with them.
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 10:11 am
by kramnala58
I would affirm what Mel46 has stated. All that might need to be done is to take up some slack or possibly loosen some tension on the back brake nut. It really is quite simple.
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 3:36 pm
by you you
JohnL wrote:Mel46 wrote:I changed out the levers on both of our pcx 150s. You don't have to do much of anything. It took me about 10 minutes per bike. Once they are connected you may have to adjust the back nut to tighten the cable. Otherwise it is quite easy.
Did you loosen the back nut and give the cable some slack before fitting the levers?
It'll probably take less time to fit them than to post
Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 1:42 pm
by geek77
You can let go of the cable as it is.
It won't go inside or disappear.
It is easily picked up by a corner of the new lever. No need to loosen anything.
Go for it.

Re: Replacing Brake Levers
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 5:07 pm
by JohnL
Job done, it was much easier than I thought. All I had to do was stand back and watch my son do it
Took him about 5 minutes, and yes i could do it myself after seeing how easy it was.
Thanks for all the friendly advice, it's a great forum.