Shimano Brake Lever

chatlow
chatlow Posts: 850
edited May 2015 in Workshop
I have a Specialized Tarmac with Sora brake lever/axis brakes. Changing gears is very light and smooth, but attempting to press the brake is definitely harder than it should be (and a lot harder than tiagra/105 setup on other bike).

I know it's very difficult to diagnose without seeing it, but is it likely to be a problem with the shifter, cables or brakes? Or is there a test I can do to determine which have gone? So far I have added lube to most places and it hasn't helped.

Thanks

Comments

  • lpretro1
    lpretro1 Posts: 237
    Start with easiest & cheapest bit - change cable first
  • ElectronShepherd
    ElectronShepherd Posts: 227
    Even cheaper start is to simply disconnect the cable from the brake. The lever should be able to pull an unconnected cable through the outers with almost no effort at all, so that will point you in either lever/cable or brake direction.

    If it's still stiff, with the cable disconnected from the brake, if you have externally routed cables you might be able to unclip the outers from the frame, and they try sliding them along the cable, to see if there's too much friction between one of the outers and the inner.
  • chatlow
    chatlow Posts: 850
    ElectronShepherd wrote:
    Even cheaper start is to simply disconnect the cable from the brake. The lever should be able to pull an unconnected cable through the outers with almost no effort at all, so that will point you in either lever/cable or brake direction.

    If it's still stiff, with the cable disconnected from the brake, if you have externally routed cables you might be able to unclip the outers from the frame, and they try sliding them along the cable, to see if there's too much friction between one of the outers and the inner.

    Oh my god, I feel like such an idiot! Why the hell didn't I think of that. Thanks for the advise, will try this later. Secretly hoping the lever might be on it's way out just so it gives me the excuse to upgrade and annoy the wife. Bike has internal cables which is a first for me and got a feeling will be a right PITA to replace

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