Anchor Bolt
Your anchor bolt needs to be tightened to hold the brake cable. If the bolt is loose, the cable will slide through, preventing you from tightening your brakes.
Barrel Adjustment
If your brakes are too loose, they will not grab fully when you squeeze the brake levers. You can tighten your brakes by adding tension at the barrel adjuster.
Link Wire
If the link wire is not attached to the break arm, your breaks will not grab.
Break Shoes
Misaligned break shoes can interfere with your stopping power. Your brake pads should hit the rim simultaneously, lining up with the center of the rim.
Wheel
If your brake pads hit your wheel, they may still work and be adjusted properly. Check to see if your wheel is true. If your wheel wobbles, it may hit your brake pads.
Article Written By Kathrine Cole
Kathrine Cole is a professional outdoor educator. She teaches rock climbing, backpacking, cycling, and bike maintenance classes. She is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School, a Wilderness First Responder, and a Leave No Trace Trainer.
