Comments on: Installing Your Front Wheel

By: Sedrik

Sedrik — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:30:10 +0000

wow, very helpful! I think my friends were punishing me for being a non-technical guy who just loves to ride.
1st thing i will do is pry those calipers open with a flat head and then I wild kick my friends in the nads.

thanks everyone.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:56:54 +0000

avid levers pop out so u cant squeeze them by accident

By: John Wm.

John Wm. — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 23:37:18 +0000

The best way to prevent this in the future is to punch your “friends” in the ‘nads next time they mess with your hydros. While their jewels are starting to swell, remember to tell them that you were just “jokin’ around.”

By: zagbo » Installing Your Front Wheel

zagbo » Installing Your Front Wheel — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:21:33 +0000

[...] sourced here [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:52:40 +0000

The first company to incorporate a lever lock for hydro levers is going to make a fortune! I saw a guy who made a brace out of red plastic. It looked a little like a bubble-blowing wand. It was all from flat sheet, and he made it so there was a ring on one end that hooked around the end of the lever and wouldn’t fall off, then a shaft went up to a half-moon that wedged against the grip and stuck tight. Smart idea! Probably took 15 minutes to make.

By: Forgivenick

Forgivenick — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 01:24:47 +0000

I would use something slightly thicker than your rotor (preferably a piece of plastic) to wedge in there. Just make sure it is smooth/tapered on the end you are first inserting in between the pads….I have slightly damaged the brake pads using screwdrivers/metal/sharper objects and although I didn’t notice much performance loss, I am sure its not good for their longevity. A piece of stiff cardboard folded and doubled up with the folded end inserted first seems like it might do the trick.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:59:35 +0000

butter knife works well

By: Arleigh

Arleigh — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:39:42 +0000

Use a flat head that you have cleaned off with rubbing alcohol or something so you don’t contaminate the pads. Carefully pry the pads back open with out stabbing into the surface.

Hope that helps!

By: Sedrik

Sedrik — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:28:41 +0000

yea but my “friends” stole them for their bikes… so how do i open the calipers? I heard I can use a flat head screw driver??? I dont want to damage my brakes tho.

By: Forgivenick

Forgivenick — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:48:59 +0000

you can get the spacers that hayes and avid use to ship their brakes in their original packaging: they are plastic pieces that wedge in between the pads.
ask your LBS if they have any left over, they should