5
Make sure the cables and housing are properly
secured to the frame or fork so that they cannot
interfere with or get caught on moving parts.
WARNING:
A brake system that is dirty,
worn, damaged, or not adjusted correctly
could decrease your control and cause you
to fall. Make a full inspection of the brakes
before each ride. If your brakes do not
operate correctly, do not ride your bicycle.
Adjust the brakes or take your bicycle to your
retailer for service.
Hand-rim brake:
Pull the lever to make sure
the brake moves freely and stops your bicycle.
If the lever can be pulled to the handlebar, the
brake is too loose. The brake-pads should be
in alignment with the rim surface (Figure 1.6).
When the brake is not applied, the brake-pads
should be 1 to 2 mm from the rim. If the brake-
pads are too near the rim, the brake is too tight.
Disc brake
: Pull the lever to make sure the brake
moves freely and stops your bicycle. If the lever
can be pulled to the handlebar, the brake is too
loose. When the brake is not applied, the brake-
pads should be 0.25-0.75 mm away from the
disc. If the pads are too near the disc, the brake
is not in alignment or the brake is too tight. With
a hydraulic brake system, there should be no
leaks of brake fluid.
CAUTION:
A disc brake and disc get very
hot during use and could burn skin. Also, the
disc edges can be sharp and could cut skin.
Do not touch the disc or disc brake when hot
or when the disc turns.
If you are not familiar with the attachment
devices on your wheels, we also recommend you
ask your retailer to demonstrate them for you.
WARNING:
A wheel attachment device
that is not correctly adjusted and closed
can allow the wheel to be loose or come
off, suddenly stop the wheel, decrease your
control, and cause you to fall. Follow the
instructions in Chapter 3 to make sure the
wheels are correctly attached before you ride
your bicycle.
✔
Check the brakes
Use the inspection instructions for the type of
brake(s) on your bicycle:
•
Hand-rim brake
: a cable connects a hand
lever to the brake. The lever causes the brake-
pads to apply pressure to the rim
•
Disc brake:
a cable or hydraulic hose connects
a hand lever to the brake. The lever causes
the brake to apply pressure to a disc attached
to the wheel hub.
•
Internal hub brake
: a cable connects a hand
lever to a mechanism inside the hub.
•
Coaster brake
: when you move the pedals to
the rear, the brake engages.
FIGURE 1.4
Test for loose condition
FIGURE 1.6
Brake pad alignment
1. Brake-pad in alignment
with rim surface
2. Pad and rim should
be parallel, with 1-2 mm
clearance
3. Direction that the rim
turns
4. 0.5-1.0 mm toe-in
1
2
3
4
FIGURE 1.5
Wheel attachment types:
1. Quick release
2. Nutted axle
3. Threaded skewer (with
hex wrench)
1
3
2
