Unless you're fond of running headlong into a tree, you'll want to make sure your brakes are in top form before each and every ride. Read on and learn how.
 |
|
Riding with well-maintained brakes will
|
|
Brake LeversYour levers can get gummed up with grime and dirt over time. They can also slip out of position on your handlebars.
Brake PadsPads wear down over time due to normal use. This can lead to slower brake response times, and it can require more effort from you to engage your brakes. Pads can also be jarred out of position.
Brake AssembliesBrake assemblies include the brake arms, the brake shoes (which hold the brake pads in place) and the pads themselves. These assemblies are sometimes installed incorrectly, or they can get jarred out of proper position as a result of aggressive riding, accidents or crashes. They should be checked to make sure that all component parts move freely and are properly positioned.
NOTE: Many brake assembly problems are actually caused by wheels that are damaged or out of true. If you develop persistent braking problems, take your bike to a full-service REI bike shop and have your wheels checked.
Brake Cables and HousingsCables can fray, rust or weaken over time. In such situations, the extra slack in the system can cause your brake pads to set up a little further away from your wheel rims than before. Cables can also wear, kink and fray as a result of normal use. The flexible cable housings that protect your brake cables can break, corrode, clog up or fray over time.
Give your brakes an overall check before every ride. Make sure your brake components are properly positioned and in good working order.
In addition to this, have your brakes inspected and serviced regularly by an experienced mechanic. A pro may catch problems that you may not be experienced enough to spot or fix. One servicing every six months or so is a good maintenance schedule to keep for occasional cyclists. Take your bike in more often if you ride hard, frequently or in muddy conditions.
Brake Levers
When your levers are fully engaged, there should be approximately 1 inch of space between the inside edge of each lever and your handlebars. Your brakes should hold solidly against your leaning weight. The levers should be mounted firmly on your handlebars. Test each brake lever separately by pushing up, down and laterally. They should move smoothly when squeezed, without jerking or squeaking.
Brake Pads
Check to see if your pads are glazed, cracked or significantly worn. Glazed pads can be cleaned using the procedures listed later in this article. Pads that are cracked or worn down significantly (many have slots cut into them to help gauge how much wear has occurred) should be replaced. Pads showing uneven wear should either be sanded flat or replaced.
Brake Assemblies
Inspect both the front and the rear systems and make sure they're centered on each wheel with the brake pads equidistant from the two rim surfaces. Each pad should
- make full contact with the rim when the brake is engaged (without touching the tire above or hanging over the lower edge of the rim)
- be "toed-in" slightly when viewed from above; this allows the leading edge of the pad to make contact with the rim surface slightly before the back edge
Check them for visible frays, rust or signs of wear during all major brake overhauls and maintenance checks. Cables should move freely through all cable housings and the guides that hold them in place.
NOTE: Basic brake system maintenance involves making sure that brake components are properly positioned and in good working order. Full brake "adjustments" are beyond the scope of this article, and are not described here.
Malfunctioning Brake Levers
Brake levers typically malfunction for one of three reasons:
A. The braking system is not fully hooked up or "engaged".
B. The levers themselves are damaged or dirty.
C. The brake pads are not close enough to the rims.
- Solution A—Most modern braking systems are equipped with some sort of quick-release mechanism that allows you to loosen the cable system without throwing your brake system out of tune. This slack is typically needed to open the brake arms wide enough for your wheel to pass between them.
Some of these quick releases are located on brake assemblies; others are located on brake levers or elsewhere along the cable route. If you find too much slack in your braking system, check these quick-release mechanisms first to make sure they are engaged.
- Solution B—If your brake quick releases are connected properly but the brake levers still function poorly (or not at all), the levers themselves may need cleaning or repair. Follow the cleaning procedures described in the following section.
- Solution C—If solutions A and B don't fix your brake lever problem, your brake pads may be positioned too far from your wheel rims. Before you reposition them, first examine them for wear. If signs of excessive wear are apparent, replace the pads.
If your brake pads are satisfactory, find the cable adjustment knob. It's located where your brake cables enter your levers, or at the brake caliper on road bikes. Turn it counterclockwise until the desired pad/rim distance is achieved (1/8th of an inch is standard). If the cable adjustment knob (also known as the barrel adjustment) bottoms out before the pad is in position, you may have to bring your bike into an REI bike shop for a more complete brake adjustment.
Tip: Whenever you bring your bike in for brake service, ask the mechanic to check your wheel rims as well. Your rims are an integral part of your braking system. Damaged or improperly trued rims/wheels can cause or contribute to braking problems.
Poorly Positioned Brake Assemblies/Brake Pads
Incorrectly positioned brake assemblies can cause ineffective braking and/or brake squeaking.
- Solution—Brake pads and brake assemblies are usually held in place by simple systems of binder bolts, washers and mounting nuts. Readjustment in most cases involves little more than loosening the appropriate nut or bolt, maneuvering the assembly into the proper position, and tightening the binder bolt again to keep the component in place.
Because of the large number of brake designs available, detailed descriptions of specific adjustments are not included here. Take some time to familiarize yourself with your brake assemblies and how they're put together so you can make basic adjustments if necessary.
Improperly Gripping Brakes
If your brakes still grip poorly after you've checked your levers and assemblies, your brake system may need professional adjustment. But before taking the bicycle to a shop, check for the following:
- Dirty Rims—Dirty wheel rims can cause poor braking performance, even if your brakes are working properly. Simply clean the rims if necessary.
- Worn or "Glazed" Pads—Rim grime, general brake use and time can all cause your brake pads to become hard, slick and ineffective. Whenever braking performance drops or your brakes become "squeaky", the pad surfaces should either be cleaned (as described below) or replaced.
You should clean your brake system any time performance drops or a pre-ride inspection uncovers dirt or grime in the system. Frequent cleaning is especially important for your brake pads.
Brake Pads
Clean grime and residue off your brake pads using a rag and rubbing alcohol, sand paper or a scrub pad. Brake pad surfaces should be soft enough that you can scratch them with your fingernail. Carefully pry out any foreign objects found embedded in the pads.
Brake Cables
Wipe down and lightly lubricate your brake cables every few months (or whenever signs of grime and/or rust appear on their visible surfaces). Lubricate by applying a small amount of bike oil to the cable near the cable guides and housings. Be careful not to get any lubricant on your brake pads or wheel rims.
Brake Arm and Lever Pivots
The various pivot points found throughout your brake system can be maintained by wiping them clean frequently (as often as every ride), and by applying a very small amount of lubricating oil to the pivot areas while moving them back and forth.