I just got a Tenways Ago X. On the front brake cable I’m noticing a kink or a pinch. When I squeeze the front brake it feels different than the back brake. Sometimes it doesn’t depress all the way. Are this related? I’ve contacted support but am looking for some advice on if this is an issue I need to press. I’ve never had hydraulic brakes so I’m less familiar on if this is gonna cause problems down the road.
Thanks for the advice
by CodeCombustion001
4 Comments
You will need a new hose
The housing (the black hose) and likely the cable as well will need to be replaced.
If it’s hydraulic, bend it back, honestly that work pretty well.
That bike uses hydraulic brakes. that hose moves a tiny amount of fluid in a very tiny inner hose protected by a big thick layer molded around it. it is not a steel cover over a steel cable, like traditional brakes. Even cheaper hydro brakes work well, so this is the proper type of brakes for the bike. When you squeeze the lever, it only moves a spoonful (or less) down the caliper to squeeze the pads, so this kink has not only damaged the outer protection layer, but has really damaged the important tube inside. It is restricting the flow, and the pressure will eventually break it inside where it is kinked and weakened – as hydraulic systems use much higher pressure by multiplying your hand’s squeezing power – so it can easily burst a damaged line when you really squeeze hard after a few days or months of braking over and over, weakening the plastic in the kinked area until failure.
I know you just bought it, but I would just have it replaced at a shop, and then ask them to pay for it. The hoses they use are probably 5 dollars on aliexpress – the replacement is all labor: removing the old one, cutting and making the new hose, and then bleeding and resetting the brake – the labor is not something they can send to you in a box; it must be done properly.
Even if they deny it, you have a bill to send the shipping company to make a claim, and you also have a working bike.
I would also have the bike shop do a safety check. Was it assembled correctly? they can tell in a few minutes if there is anything majorly wrong or missing. They won’t check all the bolts, but a mechanic can tell if it will kill you in the first 5 minutes of riding – and as an eBike, brakes are more important than ever, so get that sorted before riding it any more, as most of your braking comes from the front (the rear locks up way easier).
Stay safe and enjoy the bike once you get the brake sorted. =)