Bicycle Mechanics - front break is dragging

howdy folks,

newish bike. haven't had it taken in for it's 30 day adjustments. thought i'd post here first.

like the title says, my front break is dragging against the rim of the wheel. i've tried resetting the front wheel so it's centered between the breaks. not sure on the type of breaks. cable comes down into a tube-housing and connects to the right side (when facing the front of the bike.). the tubing, which is a half 'U' shape, slides into a socket causing the pinch that gives the stopping power. (i know i'm being really technical in my terms here. least i haven't used the word thingy-ma-bob yet!) i haven't fiddle with anything... yet! but i'm growing desperate to get this fixed asap. no car to get the said bike to a cycle shop, so i'm on my own on this one.

any ideas how to adjust this so i can get to work tomorrow and still have a break pad when i get there. it's eatting it real fast and it's a pain to cycle.

cheers and thanks for any suggestions
vix

1) it's brakes
2) http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=21

The wheel needs to be centered on the fork, then adjust the brake caliper to center on the wheel. Tighten the caliper binding bolt (through bolt).

Al

1) it's brakes
2) http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=21

That was for linear pull brakes, but yours may look like some of these: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=20

1) it's brakes
2) http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=21



That was for linear pull brakes, but yours may look like some of these: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=20

Definitely let us know which it is!

That was for linear pull brakes, but yours may look like some of these: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=20



cable comes down into a tube-housing and connects to the right side (when facing the front of the bike.). the tubing, which is a half 'U' shape,

This says it's not, but guess we'll never know.

Sounds like V-brakes to me. Have you had the wheel out of the fork lately? Maybe the end of the little curved "noodle" didn't get fully inserted in the slot provided when it was re-installed.

It sounds like you have v-brakes (linear pull). There's a small screw (either a phillips head or hex head) at the side of each of the calipers. You center the brakes by adjusting these screws. To move a caliper away from the rim, turn the small adjustment screw clockwise (tighten). To move the caliper towards the rim, turn the screw counter-clockwise (loosen). As long as you've checked to see that the front wheel's axle is fully in the dropouts on the fork, centering the brakes using the small adjustment screws should solve your problem-

thanks folks,

apparently i have linear pull breaks. i also finally have a day off to fix this. thanks all for your advice. the wheel is centered in the forks. i've checked and rechecked the wheel in hopes that would fix the break from dragging but no luck. i'll post how the fixing goes.

cheers
vix

got it fixed! woop. thanks folks for the suggestions and the parktool link.

cheers
vix