I crashed my friend’s bike and bent the tip of a brake lever. Can I safely bend this back into it original position- or does that risk making it worse?
My plan is to replace if I can’t bend it back near perfectly… but I don’t know if it’s worth it if it could snap mid process.
by redfitz
9 Comments
Fix your friend’s bike properly. If you bend that back it will either break or have shit ergonomics.
If you crash your friends bike and damage something the right thing to do is replace it. Could you bend it back and it work; probably, but it’ll never be as structurally proper as it was.
be a good friend and replace it
Return things in the same or better shape then how you got it. Do the right thing and replace it. Don’t be that guy.
That looks like a trp trail Evo, just buy him a new brake set.
Those look old
Thanks commenters. I plan to return in great shape (bent back or replaced)… I’m just wondering if it’s worth trying to bend it or if I should just skip that step and get a new lever in there asap. Leaning toward replacing it straight away now.
Edit: Thanks again yall. Heading to our LBS to get it replaced. Cheers.
You crashed the bike hard enough to damage it. Maybe take ik to a lbs to let them check over. Fi the derailleurhanger could easily be out of whack.
Mechanical engineer here.
Don’t try to bend it back, after the first bend the material changes it properties around the bend and causing it to became more brittle.
Bending it a second time can break the lever.
Most brake companies sells the levers separately so its not going to be expensive either.
good luck!
Literally anything damaged from your crash with someone else’s bike needs replacing, how is this a question? Take responsibility for your actions.