[Sparticus]

I’ve got Deore levers that require a 2.5mm allen to adjust throw. I hate that.
Want the tool-free knobs that allow fingertip adjustment.

Like these:

Are these knobs/screws available or do I have to buy whole new levers? Not doing that, BTW.
Thanks,
=sParty

 

[Konterbunt]

Iirc you can only buy the whole lever (~€10 to €20). Had to replace a bent XTR lever this summer and did some serious searching... Maybe some LBS has one lying around as a spare from some repair job?

 

[noapathy]

I imagine you could fashion something with a little ingenuity and some epoxy/JB Weld, but I've never seen these sold separately. No idea if you can swap blades on different models, but I'm guessing not.

 

[Slowanimalswin]

You have to buy either the slx or xt lever blades. You can definitely swap blades. Looking at the one spare I have I can't see how a person could remove/install the adjustment piece without damaging the blade.

I broke a couple of levers on my slx set. I replaced the first but couldn't fine an oem one after the second broke. I ended getting some $100 flo motorsports blades from ebay as the only option I could find at the time to keep riding. They're expensive but I haven't bent a lever since and the tool-free adjust is nice and low-profile.

 

[Verttii]

I found this on the DIY forum here, maybe this would work..?

 

[noapathy]

I found this on the DIY forum here, maybe this would work..?

View attachment 1960514

That's interesting. I went over to thingverse, searched "shimano knob" and ran across this. It's kind of what I was imagining with JB Weld, but 3D printing would be better suited to the task. (the other thing I thought of was borrowing a fork's rebound adjuster knob if it's the right size hex key)

Shimano Brake reach knob by ZoharDV

Add a reach adjustment knob to any Shimano MTB brake lever. Just fit it snugly into the reach adjustment screw's head (hex). I recommend applying some Loctite in the bottom before installation

www.thingiverse.com

That's a Deore with the printed doodad installed.

 

[Sparticus]

Cool that there's a way to make it happen without buying a whole new lever.
Meanwhile I don't have a 3D printer.
Thanks just the same,
=sParty

 

[noapathy]

Cool that there's a way to make it happen without buying a whole new lever.
Meanwhile I don't have a 3D printer.
Thanks just the same,
=sParty

Same here. I've heard you can get someone to print stuff at fiverr, but haven't done that either. Surely someone around here knows if you're really interested. A new thread title asking about 3D printing would get more specific responses. I doubt it'd cost much to make/ship given the size or possibly a group/bulk order if it got enough interest.

 

[ShakyDog]

Go for bling...

Pro 120 MTB Levers

Flo Motorsports Pro 120 Levers Designed to fit in to O.E. Perch. Will work with Shimano Deore XT M8000 , M8100, SLX M7100 , SLX M7120 and M6100 Hydraulic Brakes -Patented Unbreakable lever design -Sold as a Set -Pivot Point Allows the lever to fold out up on impact -Smooth Design for...

flomotorsports.com

Steve

 

[Sparticus]

Go for bling...

Pro 120 MTB Levers

Flo Motorsports Pro 120 Levers Designed to fit in to O.E. Perch. Will work with Shimano Deore XT M8000 , M8100, SLX M7100 , SLX M7120 and M6100 Hydraulic Brakes -Patented Unbreakable lever design -Sold as a Set -Pivot Point Allows the lever to fold out up on impact -Smooth Design for...

flomotorsports.com

Steve

Thanks, Steve — those Flo levers look super-pro.
Guess now all I have to do is decide if tool-free reach adjust is worth ~$100 to me.
=sParty

 

[eshew]

Just cut 2 small prices of your allen key, glue into the holes and glue a cap on it.

You're welcome.

 

[Sparticus]

Just cut 2 small prices of your allen key, glue into the holes and glue a cap on it.

You're welcome.

Damn, that's not a bad idea.
What sort of cap do you envision glued onto the exposed end of the allen?
The cut off head of a 2.5mm allen bolt?
Those are pretty small.
I wanna get this right... thanks.
Again.
=sParty

 

[drjos]

I’ve got Deore levers that require a 2.5mm allen to adjust throw. I hate that.
Want the tool-free knobs that allow fingertip adjustment.

Like these:
View attachment 1960471

Are these knobs/screws available or do I have to buy whole new levers? Not doing that, BTW.
Thanks,
=sParty

You can replace me with an upper tier. If you want to splurge you could go with

Pro 120 MTB Levers

Flo Motorsports Pro 120 Levers Designed to fit in to O.E. Perch. Will work with Shimano Deore XT M8000 , M8100, SLX M7100 , SLX M7120 and M6100 Hydraulic Brakes -Patented Unbreakable lever design -Sold as a Set -Pivot Point Allows the lever to fold out up on impact -Smooth Design for...

flomotorsports.com

I have a set and they are nice.

 

[eshew]

Damn, that's not a bad idea.
What sort of cap do you envision?
=sParty

I'm thinking GI Joe action figure heads. But could be whatever action figures your into Star wars could be another option.

 

[Sparticus]

I'm thinking GI Joe action figure heads. But could be whatever action figures your into Star wars could be another option.

Gotcha. Thanks again.
=sParty

 

[J.B. Weld]

I adjust the reach on my levers once, is that something you guys fiddle with from ride to ride?

 

[rideit]

I play with my knob much more than my levers.

 

[Sparticus]

I adjust the reach on my levers once, is that something you guys fiddle with from ride to ride?

I seem to, yeah.
Don’t know why but sometimes I want the levers to engage the brakes slightly closer or farther from the bar than other times.
And sometimes the front feels like it’s engaging at a different place than the rear so I want to even them up.
Might be a mental thing but I really like having the ability to twist a little knob to easily change things up rather than dig for a tool.
=sParty

 

[Sparticus]

Thanks for the ideas, y’all. Here’s what I ended up doing.

Got some aluminum crimp ferrules at Home Depot, the center bore fit a 2.5mm allen perfectly.
Drilled & tapped for a little grub screw as a keeper for the 8mm long section of 2.5mm allen inside the ferrule.
JB Welded this assembly to the hex head lever throw adjustment screw.
Wah La
Thanks again for the suggestions -- I wouldn't have come to this if not for you inventive geniuses.
=sParty

EDIT: For anyone contemplating doing likewise but lacking the tap & grup screws, I'll bet that centerpunching the crimp ferrule after inserting the piece of 2.5mm allen would be just as effective.