Bicycle brakes are hand-operated by the rider to apply resistance to the wheels and slow down, or stop, the bike. Most modern bicycles feature a cantilever brake system. When the rider squeezes the brake lever on the handlebars, a cable is shortened, pushing rubber brake pads against the wheel rim. Having properly adjusted brakes are critical to rider safety and the durability of the bicycle's rims and tires.
Step 1
Squeeze the brake lever and note where the brake pads make contact with the front and rear wheels. The pads should touch the metal rim, not the tire rubber, or the pads will damage the tire.
Step 2
Set the pads so the front edge of the pads touch the wheel rim when the brake is lightly applied. When the brakes are applied harder, the pads will compress and should make full contact with the rim. If you have an older bike with steel brakes, carefully bend the caliper arms to achieve the desired alignment. If you have a new bike with aluminum alloy cantilever brakes, loosen the brake pad holder and align the brake pads to the rim, then retighten.
Step 3
Screw the adjusting barrel all the way in to loosen the brake cable. The adjusting barrel is a long hollow bolt that the brake cable goes through and where the cable housing terminates.
Step 4
Squeeze the brake pads against the rim, use pliers to pull the cable inner wire snug, and retighten the holding bolt.
Step 5
Make fine brake tension adjustments by unscrewing the adjusting barrel. This will shorten the cable.
Step 6
Stand back and look down the wheel to make sure the brake pads are centered on the rim and one pad is not too close to one side. Double-check that the wheel is centered first. To center an older steel brake, loosen the mounting nut that secures the brake caliper to the bike, center the pads, then retighten the nut. To center a cantilever brake, tighten or loosen the adjusting screw on each brake pad. Tightening the screw will move the pad farther away from the rim.
Tips and Warnings
- Find a friend to help hold the brakes against the rim when tightening the cable. This allows you to focus your efforts on getting the proper cable tension without having to tighten the holding bolt with one hand.
- Make sure all bolts and connections are tight before riding the bike.
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