Bicycle Mechanics - Brake Cables Too Long?

Hi. I had a problem with both of my brakes (V-type cantilevers) where they were too close to the rim causing the wheel to hit the brake pads. Firstly I tried to rectify this by screwing in the adjusting barrels. However, they were screwed in as far as they could go. So then I loosened the cable tension at the clamp nut (I think that's what it's called, it's the last bit that cable goes through). This solved that problem but it created a new one because now the brake levers are very loose and have to be pulled very firmly to activate the brakes. I think this may be because the brake cables are too long. I will post a picture later, however I'm having internet problems at the moment. Does this sound like the cause of my problem? Thanks.

How many broken spokes do you have?

None

Is your wheel straight? How come you have to back the brakes off so much to clear the wheel?

The wheel is true enough, definately within 2 mm. The brakes had simply been set up wrong, but when I backed them off a bit, it revealed the problem I explained above.

Do you have v-brake levers to go with your v-brakes? That's all I've got if your wheels are straight. V-brakes and Cantis have different pull ratios

The cable can't really be "too long" 'cause the length is determined by where you clamp it at the brake end...

Sorry what's the difference between v-brake and catis levers?

V-brake levers take up more cable when you pull them. If you were to say "upgrade" from cantis to V-brakes and keep the original levers you'd run into such a problem.

Well the brakes have been V-style from the start, so the levers should be of the V-type too shouldn't they?

That would be a reasonable assumption. Just throwing out ideas! If you can't figure it out, I bet your LBS can!

Might have to do that. Thanks anyway though.

Here's what you do. Once you have adjusted the brake pads properly... Screw the lever adjusters out about half way, then loosen the cable clamp bolt, pull the inner wire tight so that the pads are against the rim and tighten the fixing bolt firmly. Now, screw in the lever adjusters to give you the necessary clearance.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=21

Please just read and do this. It's a simple cable/brake setup.