I purchased a 20" Mongoose KO Freestyle Team Bike for my 8 year old grandson several months ago. This weekend I was quite concerned when I noted that he cannot successfully grasp and pull either of the brake levers to quickly stop and he is dragging his feet to help slow down what now appears to be a relatively heavy bike.

I'm hoping that someone can refer me to a source of aftermarked brakes which will be easier for small hands to operate.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Check the levers to see if they have throw adjustment screws. If they are there, they will be near where the cable enters the brake lever housing. Turning them in should move the lever closer to the handlebar, making it easier for little fingers to grasp. This will also mean you will need to adjust brake cable length.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r162/jsharr/brakelever.jpg

Also, get a scotch brite pad and some alchohol and clean the rims where the pads contact the rim. Examine the brake pads for debris and glaze over. If they look glazed or shiny, rough them up with some a file or some sand paper. May consider installing better pads, like KoolStops, to increase braking power.

Good Luck.

Trigger lever?

If it is a metal lever you can torch it and bend it to size.

make sure the caliper is not too low of an angle for him to get at. The calipers should be right in line with his arm in riding position. Any difference will make it farther away from the fingers. This can be a big difference. Try loosening the calipers from the handlebars a bit and have him grab them, if he can, at the best position and then tighten 'em down right there while he's holding them.

Trigger lever?

If it is a metal lever you can torch it and bend it to size.

What the hell do you need a torch for? Just use the hanger end of a crescent wrench.