Whenever a new rotor or brake pad is installed on your bike, it needs to be broken in properly. If you take your brand new brakes down a steep trail that requires lots of braking, your rotor will heat up and cause your brake pads to “glaze” over, reducing their ability to effectivel...
A Mongoose bike has back brakes that are similar to those on a ten-speed. A front handle pulls a cable attached to a bolt inside a yolk-style harness. This pulls the two back brakes together and applies pressure to the wheel rim. The brakes generally function very well, but can break ...
Using a pair of pliers, pull the cable taut (see D). While holding the cable taut, resecure the brake cable by tightening the nut with a wrench. Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the other brake. Ride the bike to test the brakes. If you have added too much tension and the brakes rub ...
Adjust Cable Tension Now re-connect the cable and adjust the cable tension on the brake arm by pulling the cable through the pinch bolt and tightening. You’ll have to play with this adjustment until your brakes feel good. I like to have mine set so that the pads hit the rim when my ...
The process of fixing your bike’s caliper brakes is slightly different from that used to fix mechanical disc brakes. Let’s jump into the nitty-gritty of the procedure.Step 1. Check the brake padsBefore adjusting your bike’s brakes, evaluate the brake pads first. During this process, you...
2.If you have caliper (rim) brakes, use the lever on the side to loosen the brakes. If you have v-brakes, push both sides in to remove pressure from the brake cable, and disconnect it. If you have discs, skip this step. 3.Stand on the non-chain side of the bike and open the...
you’ll be able to remove the housing and lubricate most of the cable. If the housing stops aren’t split, raise the bike so that gravity will draw the lube into the housing section. Apply a few drops of lube on the cable and squeeze the rear brake lever to draw the lube into the...
Now set the cable tension with the cable pinch bolt. The 4th hand tool makes it easier by pulling the cable for you while you tighten the bolt. This is a personal preference, as it sets how far you’ll have to pull the lever before the brakes contact the rim. Some people prefer very...
If your brakes are squeaking or feel soft, don't head to your local bike shop, you can fix this. Brakes can be one of the simplest bike repairs for home mechanics. That is, if you have caliper brakes — the type that squeezes rubber pads on the rim (disc brakes are another story)...
How to Adjust Sidepull Caliper Brakes In this tutorial we’ll learn how to set up your child’s first hand brake. Often the excitement of getting a new bike with a hand brake quickly turns to disappointment when your child tries to use it, only to find the lever is too far from the...