I have an old Trek 400, and I’d like to replace the brake lever hoods. They’re getting gross and gummy. Best way to source these for Shimano BL-Z325? Are these available aftermarket, or do I have to suck it up and spend $40+ on eBay? New to the whole bike thing… TIA
by arnoldez
10 Comments
Follow-up question – anyone know what that black tab is for on the front of the lever?
I don’t know people’s opinions on this.. but these usually look half decent naked. I pull off the hood and re wrap the bars with good cork tape, and wrap up onto the lever assembly enough that it will be comfortable.
Dia-Comp makes replacement hood that wont be exactly the same but should work. Personally I would replace with a set of tektro aero levers [aero levers](https://www.jensonusa.com/Tektro-RL340-Ergo-Brake-Levers-BlackSilv-Ergo?loc=usa&gclid=CjwKCAjwjOunBhB4EiwA94JWsLWawuPN5zCSIr7aBU5scTXLJAiAFj5d4P43bqLLuL-YfGvY31NnFxoCRvwQAvD_BwE)
3d print a mold and start selling them for $40 on ebay?
If authenticity isn’t important, you could replace the brake lever with an aero lever. You can get a set of levers (with hoods) for under $20 and with the replacement bar tape still be in the low $30’s, I prefer aero levers because it is a cleaner look and no interference with bar mounted lights.
Look at Velo Orange and Rivendell Bike Works, too.
Look at Velo Orange and Rivendell Bike Works, too.
Hoods from Crane Creek are also not bad. Have them on my old Shimano 600 Arabesque
Is there an option to purchase new hoods for vintage brake levers? Shimano aero
Great bike. I once grabbed a $40 Trek 400 from Craigslist that fit me great, but I already had a 520 in my size so I cleaned it up, put on new bar tape and flipped it. I wish I had kept it.