[nathanm]

I have a Trek 1000 with sora triple shifters/brakes (is there a better word for the braking/shifting mechanism?). The shifter mechanism on the left side bends in to the right, towards the center of the handlebar. How can this be re-adjusted? Similarly, my brother-in-law just got a new bike and noticed that the shifter mechanism is somewhat loose relative to the handlebar. How is this tightened?

 

[JCavilia]

terminology: Call them "levers." Some say "brifters;" others hate that coinage. They are brake levers with shifters included. Don't call them "brakes" because that word is normally used for the mechanism at the other end of the cable, also known as a "caliper."

They are held to the bars by a band clamp, which is tightened or loosened by means of a hex bolt (allen bolt) accessed from the front. Not sure how it's set up on Sora; the bolt may be behind the top of the brake lever (pull the lever and look through the hole that opens up above it), or may be reached by stretching back part of the rubber hood.

Here's a site you may find useful:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html