Here are some tips for adjusting the brakes on your bike. They are applicable for all non disc systems - whether you have cantilever brakes or V-Type brakes. *Cable tension is adjusted usually on the handlebar barrel adjusted or at the brake arm itself. The handlebar adjuster is used for fine tuning, while the main adjuster of the cable tension at the brake arm is used when you replace the pads or make a big change to your braking sytem. Usually you have to counter act brake cable stretching by turning the handlebar adjuster outward a few turns and then retighten the lock screw in the new position. This will keep your brake action at the brake lever tighter and more responsive. If the handle bar adjustment is out all the way, you can tighten the cable at the brake arm and readjust the handlebar barrel. *Some brake levers also have an adjusting screw on them to alter the angle of the lever pull and change the "feel" of the brakes. This screw is located where the brake lever meets the cable and can also be adjusted by hand. *Brake pads are also adjustable on the brake arm itself, usually by using an allen wrench to loosen the brake pads, then setting the position of the pad on the rim, and then retightening. Sometimes this can be a bit tricky as the pad may move on the arm when you retighten it. Try to make sure that the pad is the correct distance from the rim, has slight toe in (the pad contacts the rim first on the leading part of the pad), and that they contact the rim completely when the brakes are squeezed. Make sure that the pads DO NOT contact the tire itself when the brakes are applied or you may rub a hole in the tire after repeated braking. Pads are available in different sizes and textures from hard to soft - some pads are mounted to the brake housing and have the metal part attached with the stem, and other pads slide out from the housing and you just replace the rubber part of the pads and not the housing - which is held in place with a cotter pin. Please lubricate the housing where the pads slide in with bike grease before installing the new pads. *There are also a few tension screws located on the side of the brake arm - they are small headed screws usually cross cut for both phillips and straight screwdrivers. If you tighten this screw, it should help pull the brake pad away from the rim after squeezing the brakes on this side. So, if you squeezethe brakes, and one side of the pad does not return properly try adjusting this screw clockwise. *The rim may accumulate dirt and debris from the pads and require cleaning. You can use a scotch guard pad and simple green or soft scrub cleaner to keep the rim clean and quite. |
