How to Repair Hand Bicycle Brakes

There are several things that can and will go wrong with the hand brakes on your bicycle, and it's worth your time to pay attention. The sensitivity and effectiveness of your brakes is crucial to safe bike riding. Underestimating your brakes can send you flying over the handlebars, while overestimating your brakes could put you in harm's way.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Gently squeeze the brakes and see where they land on the rim. The brakes should not rub against the tire at all, as this will wear out the tire quickly. If the brakes are rubbing the tire, loosen the bolt behind the brake with a wrench and align the pad with the rim.

Step 2

Squeeze the brakes again and observe how they hit the rim. The front end of the brake should be the first to hit. If the back end hits first, this will create a high-pitched squeaking sound. If this occurs, take your bike into a bike repair shop so they can realign your brake pads. This procedure requires bike-specific tools that are much more expensive to purchase than the repairs would cost, and they require a professional's hand to use properly without damaging the bike.

Step 3

Determine if your brakes are not working because they aren't responding to squeezing the hand brakes or aren't pulling the brakes tight enough. This means the cable has lost tension or has fallen out of the clamp. Find the cable running down to the brakes, which should be running through or (if it has fallen out) near a clamp or adjusting lever. Hold the cable taut and make sure it is situated in the clamp. Unscrew the adjusting lever so that it can move freely and pull it as tight as you can, then re-tighten the adjusting lever. Test the brakes, and they should respond.

Article Written By Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

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