Bike brake levers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are big, some are small, and some are adjustable. If you have ever wondered how to adjust bike brake lever reach, wonder no more!
Here are four easy steps to follow in order to get the perfect fit for your hands.
- Check that your brake levers are at a comfortable distance from the handlebars
- You should be able to reach them without having to stretch or contort your fingers
- If they’re too far away, you can adjust them by loosening the screws that hold them in place and moving them closer to the handlebars
- Once you’ve found the right position, tighten the screws again so they don’t move around while you’re riding
- If your brake levers feel too close to the handlebars, you can also adjust them by moving the lever itself closer to the grip
- This is usually done by unscrewing a small bolt on the back of the lever and sliding it along the body of the lever until it’s in the desired position

Credit: cyclingtips.com
Can I Adjust Brake Lever Reach?
Most modern brake levers have some degree of adjustability to accommodate different hand sizes. This is typically accomplished by rotating the lever body within its clamp. Depending on the design, this may also move the lever further away from or closer to the handlebar.
Some levers also have an adjustable reach mechanism that alters where the pad contacts the rim. This can be useful for dialing in the perfect amount of leverage, or making room for larger fingers.
If your brake levers feel too close or too far away, give them a try with the adjustment screws before you buy new ones.
The same goes for if you’re having difficulty pulling them all the way back to engage the brakes fully. With a little tinkering, you should be able to find a comfortable setup that works for you.
How Do You Adjust a Lever Reach?
If you’re having trouble reaching your brake or shifter levers, there are a few things you can do to adjust them. First, try moving your seat forward or backward. This will give you more or less room to reach the levers, depending on which way you move it.
If that doesn’t work, you can try adjusting the angle of your handlebars. Again, this will give you more or less room to reach the levers, depending on which way you adjust the bars. Finally, if neither of those things work, you can always get different levers (either longer or shorter) to replace the ones that came on your bike.
How Do You Adjust the Brake Lever on a Bike?
There are a few different ways to adjust the brake lever on a bike. The most common way is to use an Allen key or a hex key. Other ways include using a Philips head screwdriver or even just a regular flathead screwdriver.
First, you’ll need to identify which screws need to be adjusted. There are usually two screws – one at the top of the lever, and one at the bottom. The top screw controls the reach, or how far away from the handlebars the lever is.
The bottom screw controls the tension, or how much pressure is required to pull the lever.
To adjust the reach, loosen the top screw and move the lever up or down as needed. To adjust the tension, loosen the bottom screw and turn it clockwise to increase tension, or counterclockwise to decrease tension.
Once you’ve made your adjustments, be sure to retighten both screws before riding!
How Do You Adjust Shimano Brake Lever Reach?
Shimano brake levers can be adjusted to fit a variety of hand sizes. The reach adjustment screw is located on the inside of the lever, near where your fingers rest when gripping the lever. To adjust the reach, simply turn the screw clockwise to lengthen the lever, or counterclockwise to shorten it.
You may need to experiment a bit to find the sweet spot that feels comfortable for you.
How To Adjust The Reach Of Your Brake Levers – GCN's Pro Tips
How to Adjust Brake Lever Reach Mtb
If you’re riding a mountain bike, it’s important to be able to adjust your brake lever reach. This ensures that you can easily and safely braking while riding on rough terrain. Here’s how to do it:
1. Loosen the screw that secures the brake lever to the handlebar.
2. Adjust the position of the brake lever so that it’s closer or further from the grip, depending on your preference.
3. Tighten the screw when you’ve found the perfect position for your brakes.
Now you’re ready to hit the trails with confidence, knowing that you can easily and safely stop when necessary!
Conclusion
Assuming you would like a summary of the blog post titled “How to Adjust Bike Brake Lever Reach”:
Most mountain and road bikes have adjustable brake levers, which is good news for those of us with smaller hands. Here’s a quick guide on how to adjust your brake lever reach.
Start by loosening the two screws that secure the lever to the handlebar. Next, rotate the lever until it sits in a position that feels comfortable for your hand size and riding style. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, tighten the screws back up.
And that’s it! A few minutes of adjusting can make a big difference in terms of comfort and control.