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Thread: Adjusting the brakes on a bike

  1. #1
    Master Stolly's Avatar
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    Adjusting the brakes on a bike

    Idiots guide needed please

    I've tried moving the brake pads, tightening the cable where it reaches the brake contraption, tightening the cable that connects to the inverted V cable just above the brakes and tightening the thingy at the actual brake lever. I'm probably doing everything wrong as I'm not having much success!

  2. #2

    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    What exactly are you trying to adjust? Is it the amount of pull required to bring the brakes on, or to equalise the amount of travel for each pad?
    I'm so naughty!!!!!!

  3. #3
    Headmaster Grouse's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    Sounds like cantilever brakes to me. Unhook the inverted v cable from the little metal 'puller upper'. Undo the bolt that holds the cable (long cable - that goes to the lever) and pull it through a couple of millimetres. Make sure you have a bit of adjustment in the threaded bit at the end of the cable to adjust when you have pulled the cable through. Perhaps.

  4. #4
    Master Stolly's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    Why so complicated? Apart from maybe changing the pads themselves, I can twit around with another three or four bits and bobs as well. My problem is that I want the brakes (as Goldmember would say) "taut" and they're not at the minute. Going down hill I have to apply front and back brakes full on to get to a gradual stop and I figure I just might want to stop quicker one of these days. They are cantilever brakes by the way, like this:


  5. #5
    Master Calf's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    there should be an adjuster on the brake lever where the cable comes out. Turn it anti clock wise and it should moved the pads closer to the rim.

  6. #6
    Master Stolly's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    Quote Originally Posted by Calf View Post
    there should be an adjuster on the brake lever where the cable comes out. Turn it anti clock wise and it should moved the pads closer to the rim.
    I think I've done that.

  7. #7
    Grandmaster + stevefoster's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    Take it to a bike shop and ask them for a brake service, watch how they do it, or if its a friendly shop, do it yourself under their guidance
    Hills and Guinness!

  8. #8
    Senior Member Ambrosia Kid's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    Quote Originally Posted by merrylegs View Post
    Take it to a bike shop and ask them for a brake service, watch how they do it, or if its a friendly shop, do it yourself under their guidance
    I am worried , you have come over all sensible ML good answer. You could upgrade to discs though stolly, allthough you would have to open your wallet
    LOST TIME IS NEVER FOUND AGAIN, WHAT WE CALL TIME ENOUGH ALWAYS PROVES LITTLE ENOUGH.

  9. #9
    Master Calf's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    Quote Originally Posted by Stolly View Post
    I think I've done that.
    so what happened stolly???

    If the pads are cloer to the rim and not catching and your still having a soft (ahem) lever then its probably just the give in the system.
    I hate cantis with a passion impossible to set up how you want em.

  10. #10
    Master Stolly's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting the brakes on a

    Thats exactly my problem; I've got a limp lever

    These brakes were, I should add, set up by a bike shop not 4 weeks ago, when I un-mothballed the bike and felt it needed a good service. I have given the bike a massive pounding since then with I'm sure alot of desperate braking thrown in. All the same, is it usual to have to adjust the brakes every 4 weeks?

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