Adjusting your bike's brakes is a critical step in ensuring safe riding. Whether you want to make your brakes less effective or you think they sound unusual, adjusting your brakes can make your ride more enjoyable and relaxing. It can also prevent safety issues caused by brake failure. This service usually only requires some basic tools and a small amount of time.
This article will detail how to adjust different types of bicycle brakes, covering a variety of adjustment techniques from cable brakes (such as V brakes and C brakes) to disc brakes, ensuring that you can perform effective repairs and maintenance as needed.
Tools Needed
Before you can adjust your bike's brakes, you'll need to prepare a few basic tools. Different types of brake systems may require different tools, but the following tools are the most common and can be used for almost all brake adjustments:
- Wrench: Used to adjust the tension of the brake cable, especially for cable-pull brakes.
- Phillips screwdriver: Used to adjust the angle of the brake pads and the screws of the caliper to ensure that the brake pads are evenly contacting the rim or brake rotor.
- Pliers: Used to trim excess brake cable when replacing it, or to adjust the tension of the brake cable.
- Brake cable: When the brake cable is broken or worn, it needs to be replaced with a new one.
- Brake pads: When the brake pads are worn to the point of being unusable, they need to be replaced with new ones.
- Hydraulic brake fluid (hydraulic disc brakes): Hydraulic brakes need to have their fluid checked regularly to maintain proper braking performance.
If you're not sure if you have all the tools, consider purchasing a basic bicycle repair tool kit.
Check the Brake System
Before making any adjustments, you need to first thoroughly check the brake system. Here are a few key checkpoints:
1. Brake Feel
Does the brake lever require too much force to stop when you apply the brakes? If the brakes are not sensitive, the brake cable may be loose or the brake pads may be worn.
Is the brake lever close to the handlebar? If the lever is too close when braking, this may indicate that the brake cable is too loose.
2. Brake Pad Wear
Check whether the brake pads are worn to a safe limit. Generally speaking, the wear depth of the brake pads should be no less than 3 mm. If the pads have worn to or below this depth, they should be replaced with new brake pads.
Also make sure that there are no foreign objects embedded in the brake pads, such as gravel, mud, etc., which will reduce the effectiveness of the brakes.
3. Brake Cable Tightness
When the brake lever is pressed, the brake cable should have a certain amount of tension. If you find that the brake cable is loose or has no tension at all, it means that it needs to be readjusted.
Also, check whether the brake cable is worn or broken. If there are signs of wear on the surface of the brake cable, it is best to replace it in time.
How to Adjust Cable-Pull Brakes? (V-Brakes and C-Brakes)
Cable-pull brakes (such as V-brakes and C-brakes) are the most common type of brakes and are often found on entry-level and mid-range bikes. They work by pulling the brake pads against the wheel rim to slow or stop the wheel.
There are two main areas to consider when adjusting these types of brakes: the tension of the brake cable and the alignment of the brake pads.
1. Adjust the Tension of the Brake Cable
The tension of the brake cable directly affects the sensitivity of the brake. If the brake cable is too loose, the braking effect will be weak; if it is too tight, the brake will become inflexible or even stuck. The steps to adjust the tension of the brake cable are as follows:
- Find the adjuster: Most cable-pull brake systems have an adjustment screw at the brake lever or brake caliper. You can adjust the tension of the brake cable by rotating the adjuster.
If the brake cable is too loose, rotate the adjuster clockwise to increase the tension of the brake cable.
If the brake cable is too tight, rotate the adjuster counterclockwise to loosen the brake cable.
- Adjust the tension of the brake lever: If your brake lever is too far or too close to the handlebar, you can change the tension of the handlebar through the adjustment screw near the handlebar. After adjustment, check whether the brake feels comfortable.
2. Adjust the Position of the Brake Pads
The position of the brake pads must be precise to ensure that they contact the rim evenly when braking. Here are the specific steps to adjust the brake pads:
- Check the alignment of the brake pads: Press the brake lever down and observe whether the brake pads contact the rim evenly. If the brake pads are biased to one side or not fully contacting the rim, they need to be adjusted.
- Adjust the shim position: Use a Phillips screwdriver to adjust the angle of the brake pads so that they are parallel to the rim and in even contact. If the shims are not positioned properly, it may result in reduced braking efficiency or even cause abnormal noise when braking.
How to Adjust Disc Brakes?
Disc brakes are commonly used on high-end electric mountain bikes and e-bikes, where they provide stronger stopping power and better wear resistance. Adjusting disc brakes is relatively complex, especially for hydraulic brakes, but they can still be maintained by following the steps below.
1. Check the Brake Fluid
Hydraulic disc brakes rely on brake fluid to transmit force and ensure that the brake system works smoothly. Here are the steps on how to check and add brake fluid:
- Check the brake fluid level: The reservoir for hydraulic brakes is usually located near the brake handle or next to the brake caliper. Open the reservoir cap and check the fluid level. If the fluid level is low, you may need to add brake fluid.
- Add brake fluid: If the brake fluid level is below the recommended level, add the appropriate brake fluid according to the manufacturer's instructions. Different brake systems may require different types of brake fluid, so be sure to choose the right brand and type.
2. Adjust the Brake Caliper
The caliper and rotor of the disc brake must be aligned because asymmetrical calipers can cause insensitive braking or uneven friction between the brake pads and the rotor. The adjustment steps are as follows:
- Check the caliper alignment: Pull the brake handle tight and check whether the caliper is parallel to the brake rotor. If the caliper is tilted, you can use a screwdriver to adjust the caliper's set screws to ensure it is parallel to the disc.
- Adjust the pad clearance: There should be a slight gap between the pad and the disc, usually 1-2 mm. Control the clearance between the pad and the disc by adjusting the caliper's set screws.
Not only the brake system, there are many other parts of the electric bicycle that we need to be familiar with and understand. If you are interested in the speed limiter of the bicycle, you can refer to this article: This article on how to remove the speed limiter of an electric bicycle.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Squeaky brakes: Squeaky brakes may be caused by uneven pad wear or dust accumulation in the brake system. The solution is to clean the brake pads and rims to ensure that the pad surface is smooth and clean.
- Weak brakes: If the brakes are sluggish, it may be due to loose brake cables or insufficient brake fluid. Restore the brakes by adjusting the brake cable tension or adding brake fluid.
- Stuck brakes: The brake caliper may be stuck due to dirt or improper adjustment. Clean the caliper and brake pads regularly to ensure the system is unobstructed.
Safety Tips
- After adjusting the brakes, always test to ensure that the brake system is working properly and the brake feel is appropriate.
- Don't over-adjust the brake cable to avoid excessive brake tension or sticking.
- Check the brake system regularly, especially after not using the bike for a long time, to ensure that the brake system is in optimal condition.
Conclusion
Adjusting your bike's brakes is an important step in ensuring safe riding. By regularly checking and adjusting your brake system, you can effectively improve the comfort and safety of your ride.
Whether you use cable brakes or disc brakes, mastering basic adjustment methods will ensure that your brake system is in optimal working condition. Remember, buying a high-quality electric bike or electric scooter will also make your ride more comfortable, and regular maintenance can also help us reduce maintenance costs and save money. Welcome to consult the GOTRAX website, where you can find the travel tool you want!
Related reading: How to Choose an Electric Bike?
