Bicycle Mechanics - brake adjustment woes

New to this forum and love it.
Bought a Giant Boulder with direct pull brakes and I can't stop the front one from rubbing. I am a bike tech newbie but I did tinker with the nut at the handle(it's maxed in, clockwise), tried reversing the wheel, fooled with the little screw by the brake and the hex nut attaching the brake lever(on the side that rubs). Nothing.

I know that I could just bring it back to the dealer but since it would mean driving through midtown Manhattan traffic(which I routinely avoid). I'd rather fix it myself if I can.

When I look squarely at the brakes from the front it looks like the whole set is not square and that its skewed to the right(from the seated position. And it's the left break, the one bending into the rim, that rubs. And as can be guessed both breaks are not perfectly parallel.
These brakes pull up from one side. The rubbing side is the "passive" side and I notice it barely moves when brakes pulled. The good rear brakes when pulled both move same distance and time. And they look square.

I know some people wouldn't fuss and would just go to the shop. I like riding too much to be at the mercy of two-dimensional existence. I like to know I can jump on my bike at any time and if there is a minor problem I can solve it. I do have other mechanical skill so I know I can do this. I just s..k at bike-repair.

Again, Kudos to all for sharing tips, info and enthusiasm and can't forget the quotes.

JC Rider

drewsull7@juno.com

PS Any websites or articles attached also appreciated. Cheers

Here's help http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_linearbrakes.shtml

You have to adjust the spring tension screws till the brake shoes are the same distance from the rim. The screws you need to adjust are the two little ones under the brake arm, they control how much tension is needed to move each brake arm. The way I adjust mine is to loosen both screws up as much as possible, then add tension by turning the screws clockwise until both sides contact the rim at the same time. Squeeze the lever and watch which brake arm moves first, that is the one you need more tension on. Make adjustments until both sides move at the same time and contact the rim at the same time. I hope that helps.

I wish I had spoken to you sooner. I "banjaxed" the affair by overtightening BOTH adjustment screws breaking the plastic casings surrounding the springs. My dealer has ordered a re placement set under warranty from GIant. Ultimately, I was at fault as I was adjusting without understanding the principle of the springs balancing. On the other hand I do feel that the shop could have caught this. I don't have a car, the shop is not close, and you can't ride with faulty brakes. And I wasn't forcing these screws. Also why isn't this pertinent info about break adjustment in the manual?

Anyway just a little beside myself with all this. I suck at bike tech but am a craftsmam in my own right so this is real frustrating. A learning experience, indeed.

Thanks for the support,
Andy

Consider this a learning experience and learn from it. That's all anybody can ask. Welcome to the Forums.

Yesterday beforen the snow here in NYC, i got the wheels to the shop and now all is well. The LBS guy reinstalled the old break and he assured me it's good for now. IN the meantime he was going to try to get a replacement from Giant. I also had him put a kickstand on. He didn't ask for labor for either and was fast. I like this LBS because the repair is done right in front of you in typical Hell's Kitchen claustraphobis space. Feel better about the worls as does my new ride I call Groundhog( after the day it was acquired by me.) I has a hard time disposing of the old - emotionally that is. No room to save though I stripped. Seems once I lost the previous bike, Groundhog was happier. NO I do not talk to it or plants or hug trees though I do think objects have vibrational energy and me and the old one have been through a heluva a lot....I even cleaned it befor tossing it....
All's well even if I'm grounded the next few days due to the snow...Thanks you and Knobbymojo for the support. I was stressing....

"Technology may at last be outstripping language..." T. Robbins

Kickstand?? Where do you park where a kickstand is actually valuable? Just curious?