Thanks for checking out another Mechanic Monday! How do you like to run your brake levers? Angled up or down? Close or far from the grip? Far reach or close to the bar?
Whatever Shimano fanboy. Your statement may have been true 7 years ago, but since Avid changed to SRAM their brakes are just as good if not better than the Shimano's. Quit spreading lies.
We have a lot of undulating terrain in Grand Junction... (With *some steep spots)... But I've always leaned more towards angling down... To put me in an "aggressive"/"attack" position more centered on the bike ... 🤔 Maybe I need to consider putting them more up... Especially for park riding 😂
Sounds like 45 degrees would work pretty perfect for you! When you hit the park and get onto the steep techy trails pop the levers up a bit and see how you like it! That should push your elbows up a little bit and help you stay in an aggressive stance over the rear wheel! I find that helps with me monster trucking through everything!
Adjust the spring tension. Adjust the percentage of braking performance. 50 50 braking performance. 60 40 braking performance. 70 30 braking performance. If you Don't have a feature demand it gets installed.
Good job, Mike! Everybody recommends testing the brake angle at normal, seated position. You are the first one I see that recommends testing them in the position you use them the hardest, when your bum is way back and down -- your arm angle is much different there!
Ivo Roilev for sure! I set everything up in my attack position: bar rotation, brake levers, suspension sag. All that stuff needs to be optimized there, not for seated and cranking back up the mountain!
Shin Mon Latt do whatever works for you. but the reasoning is that you should have as many fingers on the grip as possible while still being able to safely operate the brakes.
Can you comment on brake reach vs free stroke? I have Shimano XT's which I just bled myself for the first time, and noticed the free stroke screw was turned all the way in before I started to bleed. I left it that way for the bleed, but now that's done I am wondering what are good guidelines for free stroke adjustment or if I should just leave it turned all the way in? Great video by the way, I learned a few things! Shimano has a handy reference on free stroke, but pretty light on details: bike.shimano.com/en-EU/technologies/component/details/free-stroke.html
Tom Clark free stroke is kind of a gimmick. I’ve messed around with it a ton and it doesn’t really make a difference(for shimano at least)usually when I don’t like the engagement point I’ll swap the pads or rotors. Doesn’t happen a lot but like once a season.
Just another Mechanic Monday (woah woah). I wish it were Sunday (woah woah). Cause that's my fun day (woah woah). My I don't have to run day (woah woah). It's just another Mechanic Monday.
TIP: use plasti-dip (not the spray ,the liquid can) instead. WAY BETTER grip then heatshrink. I use yellow on all my bikes for ez lever locating in the dark
Agree fully, Velke. Over the rear wheel is not "PRO". It unweights your front wheel and causes washout. Centered over the bottom bracket with seat dropped out of the way is Pro.
What do you suggest for brake levers that don't have a reach adjustment? I can't tighten my disc brakes any more without it clipping the rotor and my lever range is way too much
Hey Clinton! Without a reach adjustment on the brake levers, it's hard to really dial in your lever location. The best you can do is get a perfect bleed on it to keep the lever from pulling in too much! -Tor
Mechanics discs often don't offer good adjustments. I have Avid BB7 on my hardtail, these have the red knobs on the calipers that bring the pads closer to the rotor (independent of the cable tightness adjustment), these are very useful. However if the rotor is not true, it's almost impossible to get a pleasantly short lever throw. Solution: buy a rotor truing tool and learn how to use it. Also, align the caliper properly.
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. I had hurt my wrist before with an improper brake lever adjustment. Also there are folding bikes that the brake lever can only be facing down due to they way they can fold. Now I will stay away from those foldie.
You have a bunch of fun and informative videos Mike. One thinkg that i link to do to customers and my bike is to scribe the location levers on the handle bar so if they move in a crash it is easy to relocate. It is also very useful on the saat tube for when you need to remove your seat.
Some brakes have a contact point adjustment. For hydraulic brakes, make sure the brakes are properly bled. Air in the system will cause the symptom you're describing. For mechanical brakes, you have to reduce cable slack and/or bring the pads closer (e.g. on Avid BB7, as the brake pads wear, you have to bring the pads closer to the rotor, by turning the red knobs on the calipers clockwise by 1 click on both sides, this is also done on initial adjustment, until you get the desired result).
Is it just me, but if you set up your brakes for index finger braking, then the down shifter requires a conscious reach to downshift. This is true for most setups. For instance, I have a Shimano XT with the brake and shifter piggybacked on each other. I have the downshifter out as far as it will go, but I still have to awkwardly reach for it. I need more control of the shifter's position relative to the brake lever. You would think after all these years that companies would make this more adjustable. I have 3D-printed shifter extensions and will experiment with those to customize the cockpit setup.
An interesting discovery - the problem described above relates to pulling the shifter rather than pushing it- is designed to work both ways. ...so the problem is less apparent if you push rather than pull to shift down to a higher gear.
Could be a couple of different things there (pads need replaced, brakes need bled, bite point needs adjusted). Give us a call and we can better assist you! (360) 306-8827
I was cleaning my bike and I took of the tires as well. Now I have a problem. My brakes are not working and not really biting the disk. Please reply asap. I cant use it without the rear brake.
You need 2 fingers to brake, only use one when you don't want to lock the wheel but just slow down a bit and keep three fingers on the handlebar, in downhill example.
Its the job of the middleman to speak to you and create a culture and a city. Destroying culture and robbing customers, is NOT business. Its antisocial anticity anti business. You MUST kick them out of their positions. Get them out of business, out of your life.
Absolutely superb video, thanks and a like. You gave me instructions/pointers on how to adjust the levers now allow me to return the favor when it comes to filming a video. 1.) Don't get overly cute. Your young so it's natural but keep it to a minimum. 2.) Don't get that close to the camera unless you are a pretty girl. Which, you are not. lol. 3.) It's Viola (Vwa-Lah) not Wa-Lah. It's french.
I find that moving my levers in causes tree strikes on my bar ends. It’s like a cat’s whiskers and I can’t judge the clearance with 1” or so sticking out. But moving them out causes the shifter/dropper lever to rub on my thumbs. Can’t find a happy medium. SRAM Matchmaker X makes it harder, too.
I know i'm really late and nobody will notice this, but my brakes are harder to push and require the strength of 2 fingers instead of one. Anyone know how to fix this
Prolly need to bleed your brakes, and your pads may be wearing out. Two fingered braking is ok too. Not everyone has mega-$ quad piston 203mm rotor one finger brakes.....
I'd say it's normal for mech brakes. My hardtail has Avid BB-7 with 185 mm rotors and I don't think I can get enough stopping power with 1-finger braking on this bike. My new bike with Shimano BR-M8120, 1-finger seems to be enough. Just use 2-fingers on your bike, or buy new brakes if you feel like you want to upgrade.
Personally, I would never measure the distances between the levers and make them exactly the same, side to side. Your hands and fingers are not the same size and shape, your neutral riding position isn't necessarily perfectly centered on the bike etc. To each his/her own, but I just go on a ride and take the tools with me. Then I adjust the controls to whatever position they feel most comfortable at. To me it doesn't make sense to them mirrored with pin point accuracy.
Im 50 years old...started BMX racing at 14...went on to mountain biking at 20....and I've just bought a ebike (the future) ...ive never been able to brake with one finger...it doesn't feel right to me...it might just be an age thing 😄.
You have to have pretty decent brakes and have them tuned very sharp to one finger it during harder rides. I'm 30 and i didn't have those kind of brakes on my bikes when i was a kid. Those habits from formative years are hard to kick. Got decent brakes on my mtb now and i try to keep just one finger on the brake and it idd works well enough. Tho if something catches me off guard and give a scare you'll find more then 1 of my claws around that brake.
Hi, great video, quick question, would you know why my brake lever is locked up, meaning its not squeezing and not braking of course, it feels very stiff, its a trek soho commuter thank you
What about the contact distance? I have a feeling this caused me to “hit the deck” last week and suffered a separated AC joint. This adjustment wasn’t covered in the video.
This is the first thing I did when I got my bike, yesterday. I don’t understand why they come with the brakes and shifters backwards on the bar. I had to unbolt the bar in order to get enough slack to swap them around.
I hate it when guys like this say you have to have 1 finger braking. Its personal choice. I friggin hate 1 finger breaking. 2 finger all the way for me! Much more power when you need it and i feel you get much more sensitivity too. Ok if he likes it otherwise fine but never rule out the other options.
@@psychonaut038 I have awesome brakes. With two fingers on the levers i feel i have more modulation control, more security and much better control. Sure others have there preferences but shoving one preference down everyones throat is bshit.
Whos here for wheeling ...
Thanks for checking out another Mechanic Monday! How do you like to run your brake levers? Angled up or down? Close or far from the grip? Far reach or close to the bar?
If I have guide R brakes can I just buy the levers/mastercylinder with the bite point adjust built into it? The same ones on this bike in the video?
Adjustable lever tension has been a feature for a decade.
Adjustable lever reach is a recent feature.
None of my bikes seem to have that feature.
I just recently got into cycling and these type of tips are gold. Thank you!
Welcome dude, take it from me- learn to crash😬
Most brakes have adjustable lever tension as well.
Middlemen don't want you to know this feature.
Spring tension IS adjustable.
I run my brakes with a really short reach so when I ride downhill my hand is in the strongest possible position while still just hovering the brake
thumbs up for the 'not super tight' on levers and allowing them to move when you crash
100% I just started biking, had a crash and was happy that the levers moved and didn't snap
Nah I dont like levers moving when I squeeze hard. Also im using sram codes which are... like... the most unbreakable levers. So I should be good
Yeah I bent mine today and went over the bars
Learned that trick decades ago in the Arizona desert riding dirt bikes.
SRAM shifting, Shimano braking.
Whatever Shimano fanboy. Your statement may have been true 7 years ago, but since Avid changed to SRAM their brakes are just as good if not better than the Shimano's. Quit spreading lies.
@@th_js Your point would be valid if the OP said "in my opinion", but he didn't and neither did you white knight.
sram shifting and sram braking.
i prefer shimano for shifting and breaking
Opposite for me
Thank you for the first tip I had a gnarly crash today and my brake lever cracked
Feels bad
We have a lot of undulating terrain in Grand Junction... (With *some steep spots)... But I've always leaned more towards angling down... To put me in an "aggressive"/"attack" position more centered on the bike ...
🤔 Maybe I need to consider putting them more up... Especially for park riding 😂
Sounds like 45 degrees would work pretty perfect for you! When you hit the park and get onto the steep techy trails pop the levers up a bit and see how you like it! That should push your elbows up a little bit and help you stay in an aggressive stance over the rear wheel!
I find that helps with me monster trucking through everything!
Adjust the spring tension.
Adjust the percentage of braking performance.
50 50 braking performance.
60 40 braking performance.
70 30 braking performance.
If you Don't have a feature demand it gets installed.
5 finger braking 😂🖐
You're kinky bastard 😂😂😂
Amateur i use 10
20+ years 3 and 4 vingers were normal
4 fingers and a thumb👍🤣
Good job, Mike! Everybody recommends testing the brake angle at normal, seated position. You are the first one I see that recommends testing them in the position you use them the hardest, when your bum is way back and down -- your arm angle is much different there!
Ivo Roilev for sure! I set everything up in my attack position: bar rotation, brake levers, suspension sag. All that stuff needs to be optimized there, not for seated and cranking back up the mountain!
I have the bad habit of using two fingers. Will 100% look into my positioning now. Thank you for the video.
My cheap brakes make me use 2 sometimes 3 haha
Shin Mon Latt do whatever works for you. but the reasoning is that you should have as many fingers on the grip as possible while still being able to safely operate the brakes.
Can you comment on brake reach vs free stroke? I have Shimano XT's which I just bled myself for the first time, and noticed the free stroke screw was turned all the way in before I started to bleed. I left it that way for the bleed, but now that's done I am wondering what are good guidelines for free stroke adjustment or if I should just leave it turned all the way in? Great video by the way, I learned a few things!
Shimano has a handy reference on free stroke, but pretty light on details: bike.shimano.com/en-EU/technologies/component/details/free-stroke.html
Tom Clark free stroke is kind of a gimmick. I’ve messed around with it a ton and it doesn’t really make a difference(for shimano at least)usually when I don’t like the engagement point I’ll swap the pads or rotors. Doesn’t happen a lot but like once a season.
Just another Mechanic Monday (woah woah). I wish it were Sunday (woah woah). Cause that's my fun day (woah woah). My I don't have to run day (woah woah). It's just another Mechanic Monday.
From the words of Sterling Archer: just the tip!
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
He didn't. We won't.
I have to adjust my levers in Spring! Nice tips, it will help getting levers in right position as I want to add a dropper lever to my left side soon.
Very informative! Thanks you!
Thanks for the kind word!! Glad I could help!!
Don't accept terrible abuse from salesmen.
Demand to know what you're buying.
Can you do a video on how to extract your bike from a tree when your jump goes terribly wrong?
The shifter?
I can't hear you dude. great jazz funk but....peace.
Haha these were our OG days when we weren't as dialed with the editing as we are now.
Tip:use heat shrink tubes for grips on the brake lever
TIP: use plasti-dip (not the spray ,the liquid can) instead. WAY BETTER grip then heatshrink. I use yellow on all my bikes for ez lever locating in the dark
@@crabtrap You need help locating the levers in the dark?!
@@richardjones2811 sometimes, i use no lights on dirt trails when i ride.
SRAM shifting magura brakes
I thought the aggressive position was forward, weighting the front. I'm over the rear tire only about 10% of the time (riding bike park).
lol no, you can go over the bars
Agree fully, Velke. Over the rear wheel is not "PRO". It unweights your front wheel and causes washout. Centered over the bottom bracket with seat dropped out of the way is Pro.
When I dial in my brake levers to where I an comfortably squeeze with one finger, my shifters are uncomfortably out of reach. Any ideas?
What do you suggest for brake levers that don't have a reach adjustment? I can't tighten my disc brakes any more without it clipping the rotor and my lever range is way too much
Hey Clinton! Without a reach adjustment on the brake levers, it's hard to really dial in your lever location. The best you can do is get a perfect bleed on it to keep the lever from pulling in too much! -Tor
@@TheLostCo I'm using a mechanical system though
Mechanics discs often don't offer good adjustments. I have Avid BB7 on my hardtail, these have the red knobs on the calipers that bring the pads closer to the rotor (independent of the cable tightness adjustment), these are very useful. However if the rotor is not true, it's almost impossible to get a pleasantly short lever throw. Solution: buy a rotor truing tool and learn how to use it. Also, align the caliper properly.
I have both my levers in different places due grabbing front with two fingers and rear with one finger.
Lol, just measured the distance of my Code levers from the grips and I'm at 35 mm.
A nice DUSTY bike..bring that..to..the..UK!!-:))
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. I had hurt my wrist before with an improper brake lever adjustment. Also there are folding bikes that the brake lever can only be facing down due to they way they can fold. Now I will stay away from those foldie.
HEY BRO.....i got XT 8100, if I scoot them away from the grip so i can do one or two finger braking, it scoots my shifters too far away, help
I'm loving your videos, the format, the info, everything. Already a subscriber :)
Revolutionary tweaks! I'm so happy a new puzzle piece just snapped into place 🤙💯
Middlemen not doing their job again.
What's the purpose of the music? If it's to distract from what you're saying then good job.
What about adjusting the throw?
thanx, VERY good vid; my levers were way off, wish he showed how to adjust the rotary dial setting
Thank you
In case of crash with shimano brakes, you would have totally unscrewed levers not to bend blade.
What about the little wheel?
On Code RSC levers, there's the little wheel adjustment.
Hi Mike, is it possible for you to do a video on setting up the DH X2 coil and fork suspension correctly?
Just uploaded a new video with in-depth GRIP2 fork setup! th-cam.com/video/D9vsOHmmmpo/w-d-xo.html
Pro tip, adjust the lever tension and spring tension too.
We're not your friend and don't find your jokes funny.
Good video. 👍 you did a great job braking it all down
Great, detailed video. Subbed!
What if you are missing that finger but you have to use the next finger so you can do the same for the other side of the brake levers
You have a bunch of fun and informative videos Mike. One thinkg that i link to do to customers and my bike is to scribe the location levers on the handle bar so if they move in a crash it is easy to relocate. It is also very useful on the saat tube for when you need to remove your seat.
Hold up hold up!.... no one does 5 finger braking?!
Excellent video - really helpful tips and easy to follow. Cheers!
Does this video actually tell you how to do anything or does he just do it on camera?
I have a huge red dot on my middle finger because of my lever reach. Gotta change it
Loving the mechanic mondays simple stuff that makes the biggest difference simply explained 👍🙂
I'm late to the video, but can you adjust when the brake starts biting? Too much throw pulls the levers all the way to the grips.
Some brakes have a contact point adjustment. For hydraulic brakes, make sure the brakes are properly bled. Air in the system will cause the symptom you're describing. For mechanical brakes, you have to reduce cable slack and/or bring the pads closer (e.g. on Avid BB7, as the brake pads wear, you have to bring the pads closer to the rotor, by turning the red knobs on the calipers clockwise by 1 click on both sides, this is also done on initial adjustment, until you get the desired result).
What's the title of that track? Found the guy, but not this music.
fck my shimano deore brakes keeps coming back from the handle bar
my mechanical disc brake's lever arm is jamming when i apply brake and i will hve to return it through hands how can i fix it
gaurav singh new cable and housing
Hey bro whats that bike you got there? Nice clean lines
How do you loosen the bolt to change the angle of the levers?,?
I lost the alen in my brake and the wheel in the front is making noise is that ok?
I learned so much from your video, thank you!
I prefer a spongey front break...works better for me 👍🏻
Is it just me, but if you set up your brakes for index finger braking, then the down shifter requires a conscious reach to downshift. This is true for most setups. For instance, I have a Shimano XT with the brake and shifter piggybacked on each other. I have the downshifter out as far as it will go, but I still have to awkwardly reach for it. I need more control of the shifter's position relative to the brake lever. You would think after all these years that companies would make this more adjustable. I have 3D-printed shifter extensions and will experiment with those to customize the cockpit setup.
An interesting discovery - the problem described above relates to pulling the shifter rather than pushing it- is designed to work both ways. ...so the problem is less apparent if you push rather than pull to shift down to a higher gear.
I just had my brakes bled. Will adjusting the lever reach mess with the tuning of my brakes at all? Great video by the way, very detailed and helpful.
BboyFlimsy nope as long as you don’t loosen the wrong bolts!
I'm having trouble with my breaks ( right handlebar ) where it pulls down touching the handlebar to where it squeeks when I come to a stop.
Could be a couple of different things there (pads need replaced, brakes need bled, bite point needs adjusted). Give us a call and we can better assist you! (360) 306-8827
I was cleaning my bike and I took of the tires as well. Now I have a problem. My brakes are not working and not really biting the disk. Please reply asap. I cant use it without the rear brake.
Your calipers may need adjusted, but it's hard to say without knowing more. Give us a call as (360) 306-8827, we are happy to help diagnose this!
I do NOT like one finger braking though
When I do this I no longer can reach the shifter
That's why you don't do it
You need 2 fingers to brake, only use one when you don't want to lock the wheel but just slow down a bit and keep three fingers on the handlebar, in downhill example.
Its easy because i run my brake angle at a 45° angle
I didn't came in looking for this video, but I learned a lot from it.
Its the job of the middleman to speak to you and create a culture and a city.
Destroying culture and robbing customers, is NOT business.
Its antisocial anticity anti business.
You MUST kick them out of their positions.
Get them out of business, out of your life.
pls include brake contact thanks
How do I give multiple thumbs up?
Thanks Sean O'Malley
But i like 2-3 finger braking ....
What about dialing in the contact point?
Absolutely superb video, thanks and a like. You gave me instructions/pointers on how to adjust the levers now allow me to return the favor when it comes to filming a video.
1.) Don't get overly cute. Your young so it's natural but keep it to a minimum.
2.) Don't get that close to the camera unless you are a pretty girl. Which, you are not. lol.
3.) It's Viola (Vwa-Lah) not Wa-Lah. It's french.
Sorry but sram should stop making brakes.
The only one I like was the XO’s back in 2010-2013
Great vid I subscribed 👍
I’m new to the advanced braking mechanics and I’m trying to make it where I can slightly squeeze my lever and I’ll come to a stop. Any help?
Hi, good tips. One of my levers is loose and wobbles are there any fixes for this? Thanks!
I find that moving my levers in causes tree strikes on my bar ends. It’s like a cat’s whiskers and I can’t judge the clearance with 1” or so sticking out. But moving them out causes the shifter/dropper lever to rub on my thumbs. Can’t find a happy medium. SRAM Matchmaker X makes it harder, too.
great info but hate the music
Your finger still un naturally twisted out? Explain that? How thats right reaching for it with finger??
I know i'm really late and nobody will notice this, but my brakes are harder to push and require the strength of 2 fingers instead of one. Anyone know how to fix this
Prolly need to bleed your brakes, and your pads may be wearing out. Two fingered braking is ok too. Not everyone has mega-$ quad piston 203mm rotor one finger brakes.....
Scott Silvers I have mechanical disc brakes 😬
I'd say it's normal for mech brakes. My hardtail has Avid BB-7 with 185 mm rotors and I don't think I can get enough stopping power with 1-finger braking on this bike. My new bike with Shimano BR-M8120, 1-finger seems to be enough. Just use 2-fingers on your bike, or buy new brakes if you feel like you want to upgrade.
Personally, I would never measure the distances between the levers and make them exactly the same, side to side. Your hands and fingers are not the same size and shape, your neutral riding position isn't necessarily perfectly centered on the bike etc. To each his/her own, but I just go on a ride and take the tools with me. Then I adjust the controls to whatever position they feel most comfortable at. To me it doesn't make sense to them mirrored with pin point accuracy.
I'm on an e-scooter that uses similar hydraulic brakes. How do I get the brake lever easier (less tension/resistance) to pull but same braking result?
Great Video!!
Freaking game changer for entry level shimano 3 finger levers... and stupid simple!
Thanks Mr Lost!
My brake won't pomp
So I can't bleed my brakes
Plzz help
Thnx
Do I have to "go ahead and" tighten it up or can I just tighten it up without "going ahead and" doing so?
Im 50 years old...started BMX racing at 14...went on to mountain biking at 20....and I've just bought a ebike (the future) ...ive never been able to brake with one finger...it doesn't feel right to me...it might just be an age thing 😄.
You have to have pretty decent brakes and have them tuned very sharp to one finger it during harder rides. I'm 30 and i didn't have those kind of brakes on my bikes when i was a kid. Those habits from formative years are hard to kick. Got decent brakes on my mtb now and i try to keep just one finger on the brake and it idd works well enough. Tho if something catches me off guard and give a scare you'll find more then 1 of my claws around that brake.
Excellent video. This is one of the reasons I try to send some business up North. 🙂
Really helpful. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi, great video, quick question, would you know why my brake lever is locked up, meaning its not squeezing and not braking of course, it feels very stiff, its a trek soho commuter thank you
you forgot to mention the necessity of 90 degree, flat brake levers
you know, if you have a uniball
Hey my pad contact point adjustment thing is very stiff on my guide RSC's, do you know how I can make this smoother?
What about the contact distance? I have a feeling this caused me to “hit the deck” last week and suffered a separated AC joint. This adjustment wasn’t covered in the video.
Great vid to the point but my brake levers don't have reach adjust knobs or bolts? Is there any other way to adjust the levers? Thanx
Cool video. That was what I've been looking for. 👍
This is the first thing I did when I got my bike, yesterday. I don’t understand why they come with the brakes and shifters backwards on the bar. I had to unbolt the bar in order to get enough slack to swap them around.
I hate it when guys like this say you have to have 1 finger braking. Its personal choice. I friggin hate 1 finger breaking. 2 finger all the way for me! Much more power when you need it and i feel you get much more sensitivity too. Ok if he likes it otherwise fine but never rule out the other options.
You don't need power to brake, if you have good brakes.
@@psychonaut038 I have awesome brakes. With two fingers on the levers i feel i have more modulation control, more security and much better control. Sure others have there preferences but shoving one preference down everyones throat is bshit.
I grew up riding dirt bikes - back when brakes sucked, and always used two fingers....it's an impossible habit to 'brake' -ha ha haaaa!
@@jokermtb Maybe thats it... I used to ride Motocross too ;-)
When I press my brake it’s hard to push it all the way can you help?
Can i adjust my shifter and brakes with only one clamp?
Magura brakes!!
Thanks for this homie. Very much appreciated