HYDRAULIC BRAKE MECHANISM

A hydraulic brake mechanism (20) mountable to a bicycle handlebar is described. The brake mechanism (20) comprises a housing (22) having a base portion (23) and an extension portion (25). The base portion (23) includes first and second ends as well as a handlebar clamp (24) at the first end. The base portion (23) extends generally horizontally and the extension portion (25) extends forwardly of the base portion at the second end and is angled generally upwardly from the base portion (23) when the hydraulic brake mechanism (20) is mounted to the bicycle handlebar. The housing (22) is sized and shaped to be grasped by a user's hand. The hydraulic brake mechanism (20) further comprises: a fluid chamber (32); a piston (74) movably disposed within the fluid chamber (32); a lever (30) pivotally disposed at the second end of the base portion (23), the lever (30) operatively connected to the piston (74) to slidably displace the piston (74) within the fluid chamber (32); a fluid reservoir (40) in fluid communication with the fluid chamber (32); and a bleed port (50) in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir (40).