How do I make my bike brakes easier to squeeze?
A few drops of oil at all the brake pivot points will likely help and many brands of brakes allow for adjustment of the pivot point “tension” via a bolt, nut, or set screw. If you have cantilever brakes then the posts where they mount to the frame might need lubrication.
Why are my bike brakes not working?
If either brake isn’t working properly, it’s likely to be a result of slack in the cable – unless your bike has hydraulic brakes, in which case they probably need ‘bleeding’ to remove air bubbles. (That’s a job for the bike shop or a confident home mechanic.) Is the brake properly set up? Examine the brake pads.
How do you free up bike brakes?
Here’s how to adjust them:
- Unscrew the brake pads, located on the inside of the brake calipers above your tires. The brake pad is the small piece of rubber on the lower inside of the caliper that actually comes into contact with the wheel.
- Adjust the brake so that it is 3 – 5 mm from the rim.
- Tighten the brake pad.