Category: Brakes

Difficulty: U-brake set-up and adjustment This guide will show you how to adjust a u-brake, front or rear. This is a general procedure. Although there are multiple brake models and each is set-up a little differently, this guide should provide you with enough basic knowledge. You will need: Allen wrench 3rd hand tool (optional) cone […]

Difficulty: Sidepull Brake Installation and Adjustment Sidepull, or Caliper brakes, are typically found on road bikes. Here is how to install and adjust them: 1. Mount the brake. To mount the brake, there are two pieces – the brake caliper and the mounting nut. You want to push the mounting bolt (attached to the brake […]

Difficulty: How to Secure Your BMX Bike Brake Cables Ever bunnyhop and have your cable housing slap against your frame? Or hear the “ting” of the gyro’s cable splitter? Or maybe you’re sick of your cables rubbing the paint off your frame? It’s easy to fix these problems, you just need to secure the cables […]

Difficulty: How to Replace Disc Brake Pads This tutorial will show you how to replace the brake pads in the Avid BB7 mechanical disc brake (one of the most common disc brake systems.) Step 1: Spread the pads. Turn the inboard pad adjuster knob (the one closest to the spokes) counterclockwise until it stops. Then […]

Difficulty: Coaster Brake Maintenance Although coaster brakes are rare these days, they can still be found on older bikes and some new kids bikes, plus some beach cruisers. They work when you apply backwards pressure to the pedals. This causes brake pads inside the rear hub to engage and stop the bike. If you take […]

Difficulty: How to Clean Disc Brakes Cleaning your disc brake pads and rotors is very important for proper braking performance, and it helps eliminate the dreaded brake squeal which is all too common on disc brakes. Step 1: Get some Brakleen. You can find this at an automotive store for cleaning car brakes, but it […]

Difficulty: Most places say to replace cables about twice a year, and housing once a year. That might be necessary if you ride in the mud every day, but for most people, replacing cables once per year and housing every year or two is enough. (I’ve gone 3-4 years between cable replacements without trouble.) The […]

Difficulty: Are you sick of dealing with the stock split cables that came with your gyro? Then you might want to try a dual cable setup, which is much smoother and easier to adjust. The dual cable setup, whether upper or lower, gives you much better performance because you are using straight cables that deal […]

Difficulty: 4/5 This guide will cover installation and adjustment of hydraulic disc brakes (with a focus on Hayes.) Setting up hydraulic discs is very similar to mechanical disc setup, but it’s almost easier since there are no cable adjustments. You will need: T25 Torx wrench 5mm Hex wrench Torque wrench 1. Install the rotor. Start […]