Bicycle Mechanics - Can someone tell me how to adjust my brakes on this bike?-pic

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Peddler
07-19-03, 08:06 AM
I just bought this bike and would like to know how to adjust my brake pads so they do not rub against the rim on the front rim/tire? What exactly do I adjust? I did not get a manual with the bike. They did not do this when I first brought the bike home but after riding it about 30 miles they rub as the wheel turns. Is this normal to get some "runout" on your rims after riding for awhile? This is a Fuji Captiva 7 speed. Thank you.

http://www.mindspring.com/~ls1417/bike2.jpg

threadend
07-19-03, 08:37 AM
Yes, truing the wheel after the first few hundred miles is common on a new rim, your LBS should give you a free tune up around a month after purchase to true wheels and make adjustments for cable stretch.

There should be a small screw on the outside of the brake arm, below the bolt / stud that holds the pad to the arm and behind the bolt that the brake arm pivots on. If the brakes are not centered causing the rubbing to be on one side or the other, turn this screw in (tighten) a quarter turn on the side that the pad is rubbing on and turn the screw on the opposite side out 1/4 turn. Grab the brake lever and release, continue to make adjustments in this manner until the brake appears centered.

If the brakes are rubbing on both sides, either true the wheel or turn the cable adjuster barrel in (clockwise) to increase the spread between the brake pads. The adjuster barrel is the knurled nut located where the cable enters the brake hand lever.

That's a sharp bike, enjoy the ride!
Dave Stohler
07-19-03, 09:37 AM
There should be a small adjustment screw down on the bottom of the brake arm, right near where it pivots. Turn it clockwise a bit and pull the brake lever once. If it still touches, turn the screw a bit more. continue until it touches on neither side.

Peddler
07-19-03, 09:45 AM
Thank you very much for your help. The adjustment screws made it better and I will be bringing it in to my LBS for an adjustment next week. The cable adjuster barrel was very tight as it was and i was not able to turn that any tighter. I am going to try and learn how to maintain my own bike also.