Fitting Shimano Road Levers with Hidden Cable Routing

[MacB]

Any tips appreciated, though I think I'm fine on the actual cable fitting/routing itself, three bits are bugging me though:-

access to the bar clamp bolt - I get that I need to pull the rubber hood cover partially off to reveal this but in which direction? ie do I start at the front/lever end and peel back or start at the back and peel forward?

cable order - does it matter which you cable first, gear or brake?

reach spacer - one came fitted and ther is a spare of a different size, can I just ditch both of them?

 

[Svendo]

Peel forward from the rear, then lever the allen key onto the bolt. Always peel as little as possible and try to avoid removing the hood altogether, as it gets stretched and a bit baggy otherwise. I did with mine and it took ages to not feel loose underneath.

Doesn't matter, just plan carefully, there are two options for the gear cable exit, I think the outer one is preferable as it bends the cable a bit less. But try both out if need be before you commit, it will depend on your handle bars and what slots or recesses for cables they have, and your preference for comfort. It's a variation of measure twice cut once, although in this case fittin the bartape is the equivalent of cutting (and is a bit more reversible, but still not desirable)

Depends on the size of your hands, if you need them to use the lavers when on the drops, then fit and keep. Otherwise you only need to keep them if you may sell the levers in the future, or pass the bike or groupset onto someone with smaller hands.

 

[MacB]

Aha, makes sense, and thanks for the warning on the lever covers, I was worried about them not fitting back correctly.

Was much easier when you could slide the allen key in from the side, especially tweaking position.