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Replace just the blade on M401 brake levers?

743 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by bad mechanic, Feb 3, 2022

bad mechanic

Discussion Starter · Feb 2, 2022

My bike came with Shimano M401 brake levers, and I want to upgrade to the more on-off feel of Servo-Wave levers. Does anyone know if I can replace JUST the lever blade itself on them, or if I need to replace the entire brake lever assembly?

Basically, just swap this onto them:

Amazon.com : Shimano XT BL-M785 Right Brake Lever Unit : Bike Shift Levers : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

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Reaperactual

· #2 · Feb 2, 2022 (Edited)

I've not used non servowave brakes for years but I have took my SLX levers apart.

Those lever blades aren't anywhere near compatible as the design is so different.

You might be fine with a two finger lever blade off one of the other non servowave models, i.e. M395's as one example.

You're looking at needing to replace to a full servowave lever otherwise.

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bikerjay

· #3 · Feb 3, 2022

If you don't care about the tool less adjuster or the free stroke adjuster than why not just get a new deore BL-M6100 lever. Personally I prefer it over the SLX or XT as I have found the removal of the freestroke I never used to result in faster better bleeds. I actually think they are more svelt with with lever reach adjust being a screw rather than a knob.

Here is the best part you can some times find them for 29 dollars each. Which is about the same as a lever blade. I made this discovery after snapping off an slx lever blade and pricing a replacement.

The deore and SLX lever blades are about the same. The Xt may be stronger.
I also found the non replaceable plastic bushing deformed so a new assembly was a better move for me than a new blade as it would have had slop.

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bad mechanic

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 3, 2022

bikerjay said:
If you don't care about the tool less adjuster or the free stroke adjuster than why not just get a new deore BL-M6100 lever. Personally I prefer it over the SLX or XT as I have found the removal of the freestroke I never used to result in faster better bleeds. I actually think they are more svelt with with lever reach adjust being a screw rather than a knob.

Here is the best part you can some times find them for 29 dollars each. Which is about the same as a lever blade. I made this discovery after snapping off an slx lever blade and pricing a replacement.

The deore and SLX lever blades are about the same. The Xt may be stronger.
I also found the non replaceable plastic bushing deformed so a new assembly was a better move for me than a new blade as it would have had slop.

I would, and I tried, but I can't find them in stock anywhere right now.

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Amazon.com : Shimano XT BL-M785 Right Brake Lever Unit : Bike Shift Levers : Sports & Outdoors

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