Bicycle Mechanics - Rear caliper mushy

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Rear caliper mushy

Adarn
08-12-09, 10:56 AM
Hey everyone, sorry if this has been answered before, but I couldn't find anything after an hour of searching.

but anyway, I just got a pair of shimano 600 brakes from a friend and installed them on my road bike.
I was having problems before with my old brakes but the "mushiness" is even worse now. The brake pads are still in pretty good condition and I put on brand new cables and housing yesterday, so I don't know what the problem could be. When I pull the rear lever (they're aero levers if that helps) it feels like the cable keeps compressing, and the cable isn't going anywhere.
the front brake works great though.

Thanks for the help,
Adam

bikeman715
08-12-09, 12:54 PM
is the cable tighten at the anchor bolt ? could be the anchor bolt is strip and need replacing.is the housing the right length ? if it to short or long it can cost problems.is the housing to tight (tape) to the handlebar ?
dextor
08-12-09, 02:25 PM
Check centering of pads, and check slack in the cable.

Adarn
08-12-09, 11:12 PM
hmmmm, none of that seems to be the problem...
TireLever-07
08-13-09, 09:34 AM
On Sheldonbrown.com,, he recommends having the brake cable anchored,, when wrapping aero bars, and taping the housing first to the bare bar. I think it does make a difference.Otherwise you have a soft,,sluggish feel with the levers.
If the cable housings are a tad too short,,when turning the bars left & right,,will also degrade the braking feel. Could check how the calipers engage,, a dragging pad.Chris