after like 2 rides (and dropping it a few times, with not really any noticeable damage), my brakes just don't do anything. when I tighten them through the scree, they just feel reeeaaally heavy and tight but don't actually provide any braking power, or very minimal. initially they were very smooth and worked well, now they feel coarse and creaky, like they're rusty (they aren't). there's no front brakes, just a rear one
by BigSmoke41968
11 Comments
Check and lube cable, is it a linear pull cable? make sure the arm action is smooth when unhooked, and that the arms aren’t fouling against each other. I’d also suggest changing to softer clear pads for a black rim as standard pads won’t do the job well enough.
It looks to me that in the first picture, that side lost spring tension. I would check that out.
Supposed to be another nut on the cable stay mount? I’d also switch to clear pads for better stopping and save the paint on that rim.
The cable is wrapped around your bars. Turn your bars round to release the cable. It needs to go straight from the lever down to the top tube, no winding round anything.
Those pads are shit imo, and if the cable is old, swap. New cable and pads are night and day.
Change your pads ,Lube your cables and adjust your springs .Go with a set of fly pads or eclat pads
Clean the pads with a brush and water. Also clean the rim. Otherwise new pads are a good option after 2 years of use.
There’s a couple of problems that other posters brought up but your best bet is probably to take it in to a shop so they can dial it in for you with a new cable and new pads if you’re unfamiliar with brakes.
so, I spoke with another biker and he diagnosed it pretty quick. the cable is chaffed, I believe he said. the wire up near the top is a bit torn up, making it much less smooth and whatnot
Those springs look unwound or snapped. Not sure if they are without checking it out in person but visually they look weirdly wound.
Also, Im sure you know this but just in case, Im sure youre riding with the brake cable not wrapped around the headtube and stem like that. If you are, that could very well be the case.
Also, the brake lever… is missing the cable stop if Im looking at it correctly. I cant zoom in but if im correct, that is the case. If thats the case that brake cable is probably popping out of it constantly.
Yes. Loosen then reset the spring tension. Also unwind that handle bar. Brakes don’t seem to work as well when the line is wrapped like that.