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Check the brake pads to be sure they are square to the rim, and do not contact the tire
when the brake is applied. Adjust brake pads if needed. Then squeeze and release the
brake several times squeezing as hard as you can. After this the cable may “stretch”
and need to be tightened further. If so, repeat cable tightening steps. (Fig. 3.19)
Centering brake
If you squeeze the brake and one side moves more than the other, or one side does not
move at all, then the brake is not centered, or the wheel is not centered. First determine
if the wheel is centered. Look at the gap between the tire and the fork or frame on either
side. If it is not even, loosen wheel axle nuts and center the wheel, then proceed to
centering the brake (Fig. 3.20).
If the brake is not centered; loosen the nut on the back of the brake. Squeeze the brake
and hold the brake lever closed, while re-tightening the lock nut on the back of the brake.
Watch the brake, if it begins to shift or rotate, then release the brake lever, and use your
hand to rotate the brake caliper back until both sides of the brake move equally.
Sometimes it is necessary to over rotate the brake slightly, so that as you tighten
the locknut, the brake will end up centered. Repeat the steps until the brake is centered.
Brake is correctly adjusted when:
• The brake pads do not drag on the rim when the brake is open.
• Both brake pads move away from the rim equally when the brake is released.
• When the brake is applied, the brake pads contact the rim before the brake lever
reaches about 1/3 of the way to the handlebar (Fig. 3.21).
After adjusting brake, squeeze the brake lever as hard as you can several times and
re-inspect the brake pads, centering, and brake lever travel. If the brake pads are no
longer square to the rim, repeat brake pad adjustments. Be sure that brake pads return
to a centered position by spinning the wheel and listening for the brake pad rubbing
the rim on either side. Readjust as needed. Check that the brake cable tension allows
the brake lever about 1/3 of the travel before the brake pads contact the rim. If the
cable has stretched or slipped, readjust brake cable tension by loosening cable anchor
bolt and pulling more cable through the anchor or use adjustment barrels for fine
tuning brake cable tension (Fig. 3.22).
ASSEMBL
Y
Rim
Brake Caliper
Equal space
between
the brake
and the rim
3.21
3.22
Brake pad aligned
with the rim surface
Pad and
rim should
be parallel
1-2 mm
Incorrect
Correct
3.19
Brake pad aligned
with the rim surface
Pad and rim
should be
parallel
1-2 mm
3.20
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