Tightening brakes

[musicbooks]

Hi all,
After months of extensive brake usage ( stopping myself careering uncontrollably down the hills of Bath), my brakes have gone a bit loose. I have to almost completely depress the left brake control for them to work and the right is not far away. I remember when I first got the bike, I barely had to squeeze the lever, now the response is a little soggy.. I reckon I'll need to change the blocks soon too.

Dumb question: How do I tighten?

BW
musicbooks

 

[Lloyd_50cycles]

There is an adjuster barrel on the brake lever, where the cable meets the lever. This is for minor adjustments on the go. If you turn it anti-clockwise it tensions the cable and tightens the brakes. If it has gone beyond that, make sure that the adjuster is wound back in(fully clockwise) and then undo the 5mm pinch bolt on the top of the v brake arm. Pull some more cable through and re-tighten. You must make sure that the brake blocks haven't worn out past the minimum wear line stamped on the side of the block. Its worth spraying some teflon based lube down the cable outer whilst its disconnected as it helps give that slick feel. Also as a final check, make sure the wheel spins freely. If it binds at one side there are 2 small screws that adjust the individual spring tension on each cantilever arm. One will pull it to the left the other to the right.

All the best

Lloyd

 

[fcurran]

Hi Tom,

If you are unsure, just pop down to the office this week (apart from tomorrow pm) and I can have a quick look for you.

Regards

FrankC
Powabyke Ltd

 

[musicbooks]

Thnaks Lloyd,
I'll give it a go

Thanks Frank,
If I b****r it up, I'll pop round.

BW
musicbooks

 

[fcurran]

lol!

No probs, see you in a bit