Check tightness of caliper brake mounting nut or cantilever mounting bolt:
- Make sure each caliper brake mounting nut or cantilever mounting bolt is tightened securely.
Center brake shoes on rim:
- If you have a cantilever brake, turn the adjustment screw on the cantilever arm to move the arm in
or out so each brake shoe is the same distance from the rim
- If you have a caliper brake, hit downward lightly on the return spring of the brake shoe that is
farther away from the rim
- Make sure both ends of the return spring stay hooked around the inside edge or between the
studs on the back of the caliper arms
- Squeeze the brake lever two times
- Do this step again, until both brake shoes are the same distance from the rim.
Put the brake shoes the correct distance from the rim:
- Position each brake shoe 1/16 inch away from the rim
- Turn the brake lever adjusting barrel or caliper brake adjusting barrel in or out to make the
adjustment
- If the brake shoes cannot be positioned the correct distance from the rim
- Hold both brake shoes against the rim and loosen the cable clamp
- Pull or loosen the cable wire slightly
- Tighten the cable clamp
WARNING:
Do not over tighten the cable clamp. Over tightening the cable clamp may cut
the cable and cause injury to the rider or to others.
- Repeat the process until the brake shoes are the correct distance from the rim
- Turn the locknut(s) against the brake lever and the caliper brake.
WARNING:
Do not move the brake shoes away from a wheel rim that is not true (straight).
This can cause the caliper brake to be less effective and unsafe. To allow safe adjustment of
the caliper brake, have a bicycle service shop true the wheel.
Check sheath position:
- Make sure both ends of the sheath are fully recessed in the brake lever, sheath stops (if equipped), and
brakes.
- If not, install sheath in correct position and repeat the process.
- Do this test again, until the sheath is in the correct position.
Test the tightness of the cable clamp:
- Squeeze each brake lever with firm pressure
- Make sure the cable does not move in the cable clamp
- If the cable moves in the cable clamp, repeat the process, but tighten the cable clamp tighter than before
- Do this test again, until the cable does not move in the cable clamp.
Adjust the brake lever reach so the distance from the grip is comfortable to the rider:
- Turn the adjustment screw (if equipped) to change the distance of the brake lever from the grip
- Make sure the back of each grip is no more than 3-1/2 inches from the from the front of each brake lever.
Test the travel of each brake lever:
- Squeeze each brake lever with strong pressure
- If the brake lever touches the grip, repeat the adjustment process.
WARNING:
After the brakes and levers are adjusted, if either brake lever touches the grip or
does not work well, have a bicycle service shop repair or adjust the caliper or cantilever
brakes.
