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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. 3.27)
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. 3.28)
If the brake is not centered; determine which side of the brake needs to move, and use
a wrench and Allen key to adjust the spring tension on that side. To do this, hold
the outer nut of the spring tension assembly with a wrench and carefully loosen the
center Allen bolt until you can move the nut with the wrench. Turn the spring tension
nut with the wrench until the brake pad starts to move away from the rim. Hold the
nut still at the place where both brake pads are an equal distance away from the rim.
While keeping the nut still, re-tighten the Allen bolt. Squeeze the brake lever a few
times to be sure that the brake is centered. Repeat above centering steps if needed.
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. 3.29)
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
3.28
3.29
Brake pad aligned
with the rim surface
Pad and
rim should
be parallel
1-2 mm
Incorrect
Correct
3.26
3.27
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