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Idiots guide needed please :rolleyes:
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!
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?
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. :rolleyes:
:D 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:
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos...ertbrakes2.jpg
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Calf
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 :eek: good answer. You could upgrade to discs though stolly, allthough you would have to open your wallet:DQuote:
Originally Posted by merrylegs
so what happened stolly???Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
Thats exactly my problem; I've got a limp lever :rolleyes:
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?
Not impossible, it just requires patience and a bit of understanding of how they work. Read Sheldon Brown's advice here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Calf
Nope I refuse to believe its possible:D and shall not hear another word.;)
Stolly brakes do need adjusting alot. Especially if its wet when you've been out. I got thru a new set of pads on my road bike during a very very wet weekend in the lake district.
If you've got the cash and intend on doing lots of cycling its worth getting some discs. Last ageeeees longer and really easy to adjust
I agree, but if you dont want to stretch to discs at least go to Vee brakes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Calf
Thanks very much for your help everyone - I sort of know what to do now :rolleyes:. Its all about trial and error, fiddle-faddle to space the brake pads the right height, angle and distance from the wheel rim. Managed to do it okayish just now although it took me almost 20 minutes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ambrosia Kid
My bike is really old and lumbering and I don't want to spend money on it changing the brakes if I can help it!
Worry ye not Rice Pud Youth, it won't last;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ambrosia Kid
20 mins is a good time for brake faffing, like Calf says, cantis are painful, but practice makes perfect, ever thought of taking up running, less equipment to go wrong:p Happy cycling and hope your back running fit soon;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
Just off for another 'see if it still hurts' experimental run now.Quote:
Originally Posted by merrylegs
Brakes are for wimps anyway.
Stolly, you are going to struggle getting truly impressive stopping power out of those (Shimano ?) slimline canti's - the very things that feed anti-canti-phobia like dear old Calf's.
Have a look at www.zepnat.co.uk and their Tektro CR520's ( just £32 for a complete bike set - what you already have costs £20 / wheel ). I've had mine on the cyclo-cross bike for 4 weeks and they are a revelation. Several guys on the 3Peakscyclocross.org.uk forum are raving about them. If you take the plunge, go another £20 and upgrade to Koolstop Salmon & Black dual compound brake blocks.;):D
And as 'nobbutalad' says - Sheldon Brown (RIP) is the guru. And he praises the CR520's. Also google for Keith Bontrager and his canti set-up pages.
Or, £27 for a pair of Shimano LX V brakes and levers which seem to be a doddle to set up,
http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalo...And_V_336.html
You're all getting very brake techy and brake nerdy on me :D. Calm down or else I'll show you another picture of some bicycle brakes.... is there such a thing as brake porn?
Bring 'em on Stolly! Can feel me brake lever firmin' up, already!:rolleyes:
brakes wot the ell do you want them for!! no point slowing down, you need to go faster..:pQuote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey