Bicycle Mechanics - Beginner Question: How do I adjust my brakes?

Hi, I've always let my LBS make all the adjustments to my bikes but I'm trying to do more of my own as I tour more often and feel I should be more self reliant.

My winter beater is an old Giant Cypress and although I have replaced the pads several weeks ago, the rear brake almost doesn't work at all. When I squeeze the brake handle, it goes right to the bar, but the pad appears to be already close to the rim.

My first thought is to tighten the cable, which I've done before, but that seems to cause the rim to drag against the pad all the time.

What should I do?

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

....park tool website or a good book.

Are these cantilever brakes or v-brakes? Either way, that Park tools site has good advice. Check the cable housing, is it worn out to the point that the inner layer pops out at the ends when you press the brake levers?

This is probably not it but it seems like everytime I fiddle with brake repairs on my bike, one of the cable housing sections usually comes out of the little holder thingie on the frame especially if release the brake mechanism to get a wheel out. After fiddling, I check the brake and the lever goes to the bar. Of course, you said that the pads are still close to the rim so this may or may not be the issue here. Check and see that all your cable housings are properly landed on the frame holders.

D.Tipton

This is probably not it but it seems like everytime I fiddle with brake repairs on my bike, one of the cable housing sections usually comes out of the little holder thingie on the frame especially if release the brake mechanism to get a wheel out. After fiddling, I check the brake and the lever goes to the bar. Of course, you said that the pads are still close to the rim so this may or may not be the issue here. Check and see that all your cable housings are properly landed on the frame holders.

D.Tipton

Carefully consider all advice that has the term "thingie" in it. :rolleyes:

This is probably not it but it seems like everytime I fiddle with brake repairs on my bike, one of the cable housing sections usually comes out of the little holder thingie on the frame especially if release the brake mechanism to get a wheel out

I finally found a place where I can help!!

Those little holder thingies are called cable stops (http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/brake2_freecable.jpg) :)

Whatever. Jawn is the most useful word in bike repair. I've even been know to refer to things as swivvely jawn, or cable-grabber jammy.