Adjusting the brakes on a bike

[Stolly]

I agree, but if you dont want to stretch to discs at least go to Vee brakes.

Thanks very much for your help everyone - I sort of know what to do now . 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.

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!