Brake Troubleshooting

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By Bicycle Trails Council of Marin.

Are your brakes dragging? If so, here are the probable causes:

Calipers not centered
- Check: Space between pad and rim should be equal on both sides
- Solution: Center calipers
Wheel not true
- Check: Spin wheel & check for wobble
- Solution: True or replace wheel
Brakes adjusted too tightly
- Check: Clearance between rim & pad
- Solution: Shorten cable housing

Are your brakes noisy? Here're the reasons why:

Improperly aligned pads
- Check: Front of pads should be touching rim first
- Solution: Toe in pad(s)
Old, hard or glazed pads
- Check: Pads should not be rock hard
- Solution: Replace
Dirty rim contact area
- Check: Visual check of rim
- Solution: Clean rim & replace pads

Are you experiencing brake fade? Here's what's up:

Does your brake lever go to the bar? Read on:

Pads worn out
- Check: Check 'em out
- Solution: Replace 'em
Broken or pulled out brake cable
- Check: Check cables and clamps
- Solution: Adjust length or replace

Do your brakes bind? Here's why:

Levers, cables or calipers pivots rusted or bound up
- Check: Check levers for binding, check cable housings for damage
- Solution: Lubricate, repair or replace

Do your brakes chatter? Here's the problem: