My XT brake lever is pulling too close to the bars when braking hard. Is there any way to replace the reach adjuster screw with a longer screw to give just a little more adjustment range?
I would try bleeding them and making sure the system has enough fluid (and also check that the pads aren't badly worn). If you have the lever set as far from the bars as possible, but it's getting close to the bars under heavy braking, that's usually a sign that they need bleeding.
yeah over-bleed them.
Get them 'right' then whip wheel out and give 1 full pull on lever without wheel in.. it will push the pads closer togehter, shoehorn the wheel in and re-bleed... you'll have firm levers.
yeah over-bleed them.
Will only work very short term.
As soon as there is any wear to the pads they'll be back to working how they were designed to work.
You also run the risk of damaging the diaphragm if you forget they are over filled and push the pistons all the way in when you fit new pads.
Do a full bleed with pads removed and bleed block fitted.
Check the rotor thickness* and pad wear.
Shimano brakes do not like the combo of worn rotors and pads as the master cylinder doesn't have the capacity to cope with it.
*min 1.5mm.
Try find the video of ‘The lost co’ the mechanic on there bleeds the brake from top to bottom with pads out etc
Gently flicking the lever when bleeding to get excess air from pistons especially
He then closes the rear off,cleans etc but keeps the lever open
Then puts wheel back and does a gently pull on levers with wheel in which kinda centres the brakes then he closes off
Also the Syndicate mechanic video is good
Unscrews the wee screw on the lever and winds out the lever
Does a bleed then screws the wee screw back in but not fully tight
Thanks everyone for commenting. I think the issue for me is that I brake using my middle finger (I’ve always done it that way since it allows me to brake and change gear at the same time. However, I understand that very few people brake like this). But this means that my first finger is between the lever and the bar. So I need the lever to be farther away from the bar.
If I braked using my first finger, then lever position would be fine.
I could re-teach myself to brake using my first finger, but to be honest, I still sometimes change gear to get ready for a sharp climb while under heavy braking. So I’m happy with the reason why I taught myself to ride like this 20 years ago. So ideally, I’d rather just be able to push the lever out just a little compared to the lever position other folks consider ideal.
Can you not change gears with your thumb and break with your index finger? That's how most people are doing it.
Allways hard to teach a new way but worth trying. Should have more control
I’ve got similar with my rear brake. Bleeds fine, feels great with the bleed block and has plenty of power, just the bite point with pads/disc is way to close to the bars.
Just measured my rotors. Down to 1mm on the rear!! New rotor ordered…
I ordered it from Amazon so that probably balances that out…
johnhe
Full Member
Thanks everyone for commenting. I think the issue for me is that I brake using my middle finger (I’ve always done it that way since it allows me to brake and change gear at the same time. However, I understand that very few people brake like this). But this means that my first finger is between the lever and the bar. So I need the lever to be farther away from the bar.
Shimanos are probably the worst lever for middle-finger braking, that little level blade is made for the index finger. I'm amazed you can do it at all if its one of the most recent versions (with the extra lever to bar support thing right at the end).
Rather than changing a technique that works for you (although I can brake and shift when using my index finger) I'd be thinking of a changing to a different brake
Just use your index finger for braking and downshift with your thumb. That's what the levers and shifters are designed for.
Sounds like a painful way to slow the bike.
Just measured my rotors. Down to 1mm on the rear!! New rotor ordered…
turns out a new rotor can make your brakes feel like new. No more hit and miss braking.
change the way you hold the bars and brake. that'll fix it
change the way you hold the bars and brake. that’ll fix it
That i think. I went through the same process a few years ago and it was worth it ( for me anyway). It really didn't take too long to change. i would be surprised if a longer screw did what you needed without causing other problems. I wonder if its possible to cut down a regular bolt of some sort though. I can't quite remember how it looks
Just checking you are winding your reach adjuster all the way out before bleeding aren't you?
Edit I suspect you are running them right out already given your request but there are supposedly no stupid questions (although I think that mantra is only true off social media 😂).
I may have found out the hard way that this makes for a much better bleed (or rather I found out not doing so makes getting a good bleed a proper pita!). 🙄
So I don’t think there is anything wrong with my brakes right now - I think they’re operating ‘normally’. So I’m biting the bullet and I’m about to try to retrain myself to brake with my first finger instead of my second. I’m 2 rides into the change. It’s amazing how different and awkward such a small change feels. I’ve repositioned the brake levers on both my bikes. So it’s first finger breaking for me from now on.
I have to say, speaking as objectively as I can, that first finger braking feels much less secure - both the grip of the finger on the lever, and also the strength of the hand grip on the grips. But hey ho - 99.999% of mountain bikers can’t be wrong.
I think the tendons on the two middle fingers are sort of linked so when you middle finger brake, you also can't fully grab the bar with your ring finger. The index finger is fully independent so means you have three fingers left to grasp rather than 2 1/2 (sort of).
I don’t understand the mechanics - but I ass7me it’s the fact that you’re gripping with your index finger, which feels much more stronger and more secure than gripping with the other 3 fingers without the index finger.