MTB Brake Levers

What is an MTB brake lever and what matters?

The brake lever is your remote control for stopping. In Dirt Jump and Slopestyle, most riders run the rear brake with a mechanical cable to allow for a gyro (rotor) setup. The lever must be extremely robust to survive crashes.

What types of levers are there?

Mechanical Levers (Linear Pull)

Pull a steel cable. Compatible with mechanical disc brakes (e.g., Avid BB5/BB7) and V-Brakes. The standard for gyro setups.

Hydraulic Levers

Push oil through a line. Offer more power and modulation but are harder to combine with a gyro (requires expensive custom parts).

What should I look for in ergonomics?

• Lever Size (1-Finger vs. 2-Finger): Dirt Jumpers often prefer short "Medium" or 1-finger levers to keep a firm grip on the bars with the remaining fingers.
• Reach Adjust: Good levers allow you to adjust the distance to the handlebar – important for smaller hands.
• Hinged Clamp: Allows installation without having to remove the grip.

How do I install the lever?

1. Clean the handlebar at the clamping area.
2. Mount the lever so you can reach it comfortably with your index finger while your palm is still on the grip.
3. Tighten the clamp bolt hand-tight (not too tight! The lever should be able to twist in a hard crash instead of snapping off).
4. Hook in the brake cable nipple and adjust the tension using the barrel adjuster on the lever.

What do the specifications mean?