Adjusting brake lever reach

[Tuckervill]

I have a Trek 1000 WSD. I would like to investigating adjusting the reach on the brake levers. I checked out Trek's site and the manual online. Unfortunately, all the links for illustrations are broken, and I need a picture.

If someone wants to take a look at the manual and see if the illustrations work for them (and then send me the illustrations, maybe?), that'd be great.
http://www.bike-manual.com/brands/tr...oad/index.html

I know I don't have the shims. Are they necessary? There is a screw on the top of the lever pointing forward. I was thinking maybe that was an adjustment screw? Or maybe there are shims necessary. See, I need a picture!

This is one of the rare times Sheldon Brown was not helpful.

Help?

Karen

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't know what kind of levers you have. Are they the kind that also have the shifters integrated in them? I think those are the kind that you can get shims for from Shimano. The shims are little plastic pieces you have to order. I seem to recall that the levers that are brake levers only do not have shims you can buy that fit them.
Why not call Trek?
I have heard that Shimano used to make short reach brake levers without the shifters (plain brake levers but for shorter reach). Maybe they still do. If not, you might be able to search Ebay for an old set of these- I would think they would be interchangable with any other Shimano levers without shifters.

[velogirl]

Karen, you can shim the levers yourself by inserting a small piece of adhesive-backed "stuff" -- so technical, eh? I use FeltGard Heavy Duty Felt Pads (they're intended to put under furniture on hardwood floors to prevent scratching).

To insert, open up the brake lever the same way you would when you apply your brakes. insert the felt (adhesive side down) and then close the lever again, depressing the felt pad to create adhesion.

Note that depending on how your brakes are adjusted, you might need to open them up just a bit after shimming. Spin the wheels (off the ground) and if the brakes are too close to the rim, use an alan wrench to slack a little bit of cable.

BTW, which model levers do you have (they probably have it printed on them). Sounds like older 105 or Sora.

[Tuckervill]

They're brifters, probably Sora. (yep! I looked it up.)

So you just stick something adequate down in there, without securing it or anything? hmmm...

I have some felt thingies somewhere. I'm sure I can find something suitable at the hardware store if I can't find those.

edit: oh, on re-read I see you were using the adhesive to keep them in. Okey dokey.

Thanks!
Karen

[DirtDiva]

If they're Soras, just screw in that screw you found. It's there to adjust the reach. Be a little bit careful though because they're only plastic.

[velogirl]

2nd what dirtdiva sez -- that screw can easily break and the range of motion is relatively small. I've still used external (or would that be internal?) shims when fitting sora components.