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Check the brake pads to be sure they are aligned with the rim, and that they 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. 3.34)
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.
If the brake is not centered; use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten or loosen the screws
on either side of the linear pull brake where they mount to the frame or fork. If you
turn the screw clockwise it will increase spring tension on that side, counter clockwise
to decrease spring tension. Start by increasing tension on the side that is not moving or
not moving enough. Turn only about ½
turn at a time, and try squeezing and releasing
the brake lever a few times to see the difference. Repeat until the brake is centered. If
you run out of adjustment, you can go to the other side and loosen the screw slightly
to continue adjusting the brake. When the brake is correctly adjusted, both sides should
move evenly when the brake lever is squeezed, and when released, the wheel should
rotate with no brake shoe contact. (Fig. 3.35)
Brake is correctly adjusted when:
• Both brake pads move away from the rim equally when the brake is released.
• The brake pads do not drag on the rim when the brake is open.
• 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. 3.36)
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.
ASSEMBL
Y
3.35
3.36
Brake pad aligned
with the rim surface
Pad and
rim should
be parallel
1-2 mm
Incorrect
Correct
3.33
3.34
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