Bicycle Mechanics - brake help

hi i have old weinmann center pulls calipers and i was wondering is there a way to adjust the tension of the brakes or springs?

The "B" solution is to release the spring and bend it.

The "A" solution is to replace the whole brake with some modern dual pivot brakes. They're better in every way.

i may replace the brakes, but its probally not likely, do i just bend the spring the other way so it'll be less tense?

The "A" solution is to replace the whole brake with some modern dual pivot brakes. They're better in every way.

Not true, centerpulls have better clearance for very very large tires and fenders. They also have a nice symmetrical look. If however you value braking power and ease of adjustment, dual pivots are better.

Not true, centerpulls have better clearance for very very large tires and fenders. They also have a nice symmetrical look. If however you value braking power and ease of adjustment, dual pivots are better.

Not true Not true. Their are dual pivots on the market with appropriate amount of clearance for those uses-- although look's are up to you.

Yes, just bend the spring - but do it in VERY SMALL increments, until it is right.

You might also try loosening the mounting bolt to see if you can center it better to adjust it that way.

Not true Not true. Their are dual pivots on the market with appropriate amount of clearance for those uses-- although look's are up to you.

They have clearance for wider tires, but when you try to run really wide fenders, the brakes can squeeze the arch of the fender, instead of the rim. Try fitting a pair of planet bike's 2.75 inch fenders underneath even a Tektro Bigmouth.

It's not likely you'll ever actually run into this problem though, as most every bike that can take tires that big uses cantilevers, and it's about 5 minutes with a diagonal cutter to trim just enough off a fender to make it work. It is still an issue though, dual pivots are not perfect.

My recollection of Weinmann and Dia-Compe centerpulls is that they were the easiest brakes ever to set up and/or adjust. Time might be fogging my memory a bit, of course.

is there any way to adjust the tension of the returning spring arm when you press the brake lever? i'd like it to be easier to press the brake lever

It sounds like you need clean the brakes and lube the pivots first and replace/lube the cable second. My guess is that the cable/housing is coroded making the brakes hard to pull.

I agree with blamp28. You should overhaul the brake(s) and lube, with a good penetrating oil, all the pivots in them. Clean the rims with alcohol. And replace your cables and housing. See if that doesn't take care of it.