Bicycle brakes can wear out over time, or can become corroded and frayed from abnormal riding conditions. There may also be a time when you want to replace the entire brake system on your bicycle. Many bicycles utilize rim-style brakes which operate by squeezing rubber brake pads against the rim of the bike to slow you down. Rim brakes come in two main types: calipers and cantilevers. Both types of brakes are removed similarly.
Step 1
Insert an appropriate size Allen wrench into the pinch bolt on the brake lever that the brake cable runs through. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until the brake lever falls loose from the cable. Snip the cable with the wire cutters at the point just above where the pinch bolt was on the cable.
Step 2
Turn the barrel adjuster on your brake's hand lever counterclockwise while simultaneously pulling on the cable away from the lever gently. Continue turning the barrel adjuster until the cable pulls out of the lever housing.
Step 3
Unclip the brake cable housing where it is attached to your bicycle frame. Set the cable aside when you are finished. If you will be removing the brake levers, insert a hex wrench into the bolt on the lever housing and loosen it enough that you can slide the lever off of the handlebar. You may need to disengage the shifters to do this.
Step 4
Place an open-end wrench on the mounting post bolt of the brake pads. Turn the wrench down toward the bike wheel a half turn to loosen the brake pad. Pull the pad out of the post and set it aside. Repeat the process to remove the brake pad on the other side of the wheel.
Step 5
Insert an Allen wrench into the base bolt on the main brake housing. This is the largest bolt in the assembly and it attaches to the bicycle frame forks. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until the bolt can be pulled out of the frame. Remove the bolt from the other fork to finish taking the brakes off of the bike.
Things You'll Need
- Wire cutters
- Allen wrenches
- 9 or 10 mm open-end wrench
Member Comments