Some brakes have a special mechanism which enables you to set the
clearance on either side of the rim using a screwdriver. Brake pads
should finally be adjusted so that the leading edge of the pad makes
first contact with the rim. Some brakes have special curved washers
to allow this, but on less complex models it will be necessary to apply
a little force to the pad and its mounting.
Minor brake adjustment can be made via the barrel cable adjusters
which are located on each brake lever. To adjust, squeeze the brake
pads against the rim, loosen the lock nut, and turn the adjuster to pull
the brake pads closer to, or spread them away from the rim as required.
Brake pad clearance should be a maximum 2mm from the rim.
When correct, re-tighten the lock nut.
If the pads cannot be set close enough to the rim in this manner, you
may have to adjust either the length of the straddle cable or the
length of the brake cable.
If the brakes use a separate brake cable and straddle cable, adjust
the straddle length by first screwing the barrel adjuster 3/4 of the way
in, then loosening the straddle cable fixing bolt, then pulling or pushing
the cable through the fixing bolt to adjust the length, and finally
re-tightening the fixing bolt.
Check that the straddle bridge is in the middle of the cable to ensure
even brake pad contact. Apply full force to the brake lever to test,
then fine tune using the barrel adjuster.
To adjust the brake cable length, loosen the brake cable fixing bolt on
the cable straddle bridge, adjust the length until the brake shoes are
the correct distance from the rim, then re-tighten and test.
Parallel
Parallel
Fully Adjustable Brake Shoes
Curved
Adjustment
Washer
Curved
Adjustment
Washer
2mm clearance
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