Siu Blue Wind

Hi everybody! I was wondering if you can help me. On my '05 Trek Navigator I have Tektro V brakes. It appears that the front right pad is touching the rim while the other side has nice clearance. Upon applying pressure to the levers and then releasing, one arm goes back but not the right side. Is this something a girl who knows nothing can adjust with your guidance? I really don't want to drive it to the LBS 1/2 hour away if it's something they will laugh at me for -- (if it's that easy). Thanks

Nox

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CChaves

LBS guys will never leaugh at you cause they always assume you know nothing about bikes. Its their job, no worries.

Moose

You can absolutely do it yourself, usually takes a screwdriver or an allen wrench. Since it is so new, you ought to take the bike back to the shop you bought it from, and they should gladly adjust it for you.

If your nice they may even show you how to do it.

Al1943

Grab the side that is too close to the rim and give it a little tug. If it moves over but won't stay you need to tighten the through bolt that holds the brake assembly to the frame if rear brake, or fork if front brake. When you spin the wheel the clearance between the pads and the rim should be the same and stay the same.

Al

alcahueteria

there should be a small phillips head, or allen screw, one the side of each brake arm near the pivot. You can either tighten, the screw on the side that's far away from the wheel, or you can loosen the one that's on the arm that is touching the wheel. Or a combination of both.

Siu Blue Wind

Wow...Thanks everyone for the replies. I will try to tighten the allen bolt that is holding the brake to the fork...or loosen the other. When I pulled the arm as suggested, it moved AND stayed. It's just when I squeeze the lever then release is when the arm will not return. Should I still try toying with the allen bolt?

Brian

Pop the cable off at the noodle, as though you were taking off your wheel. With no tension on the brakes find the small screw on the side of the arm that's too far in. Give that a turn clockwise, put the cable back on, and see how it goes. You can also loosen the opposite side a bit. What you're doing is adjusting the spring tension. The allen bolts keep your brake on the bike, make sure they're both tight.

Raiyn

Imagine what would happen if he went to a real bike website

Longhorn

Very true! My LBS (Bicycle Sport Shop, Austin) has the friendliest, most helpful people working there. And they're not just pushing sales -- I was prepared to get a new helmet and the guy took mine and added foam pads so it would fit better. I was prepared to get a new saddle and the guy looked at mine and said it was tilted too low in the front and adjusted it for me (he was right!)

Yes, I've spent some money there but as a beginner, I'm buying the low-end products ($50 yesterday for Shimano clipless pedals,) yet they couldn't treat Lance any better! (And they do deal with Lance in some way -- his autographed photo is hanging in the shop with his thanks!

I think they just love what they do and love sharing it with others.

Longhorn

Such as?

Thanks!

Siu Blue Wind

Guess what everybody! THE BRAKES ARE FIXED!!! YAY! I didn't really have time to try all of your neat tricks that you have offered to me so this morning I took "Blue" to the LBS. Ends up the tension was off on the spring inside of the anti-lock (didn't know there was one) and he fixed that and centered the pads a little. He showed me the spring and it was along the cable. He said it was on this bike because if I were to try to stop so quickly with the front brake on a comfort bike I risk the danger of going over the bars since it sits so high. He said if it was a road bike the brake pressure would be more even front to back. Anyway, all is well and I'm going to take Blue out today! (Yippeeeeeeee) Thank you all again for all of your wonderful suggestions. You guys are cool.