B1KE

Hey everyone,

Just got my first bike with rim brakes (other one had mechanical discs, good thing it's gone! lol) I had to take the front tire off to get it into my car and when I put it back on, I try my best to center the wheel and lock in the quick release and then flip the switch on the rim brake caliper but no matter how I try it, it always ends up un even on one side.

Any help tips much appreciated.

Gresp15C

Are they caliper brakes or vee brakes? This page has a picture showing the types:

Function

My practice would be to avoid centering the brakes by how the wheel is installed in the dropouts. Instead, while at home, get the wheel fully seated in the dropouts, and then get it well adjusted. That will provide a better starting point when dealing with the wheel when you remove and re-install it later.

Something pointed out to me in this forum, is that rim brake centering works a lot better if the appropriate parts of the brakes are lubricated: The pivots, and where the springs touch the brake arms.

cb400bill

Thread moved from General Cycling Discussion to Bicycle Mechanics with 3 day forwarding.

SkyDog75

What kind of brakes are we talking about? Sidepull calipers I assume since you mentioned calipers and a quick release 'switch', but are they single-pivot or dual-pivot?

There are plenty of tips out there on the web for centering brakes -- you just gotta know which type of brakes you're working on. For example, Park Tool's page on servicing dual-pivot calipers has a section on centering:
Dual Pivot Brake Service | Park Tool

...but before you worry too much, so long as the pads aren't rubbing when the brake lever's not being pulled, it's not a problem if one pad rides a little closer to the rim than the other.

AlexCyclistRoch

2 quick adjustment techniques:

1) center using a hex wrench on the caliper mount

2) center using a cone wrench on the flats of the pivot bolt on the caliper.

davidad

If it's shimano road brakes you can make sure the wheel is centered then loosen the 5mm locknut on the back of the fork. Apply the brakes hard and tighten the nut. If still not centered there is a screw on the top of the brake for the purpose of centering it.

fietsbob

I have a Star Lock washer on the center bolt of my Side Pull Brakes so It really does not move
when I do puncture Mending wheel removals.

ltxi

Not hard sounding to me. Hands on twist the caliper on it's mounting bolt a bit.

andr0id

More details needed about what kind of bike and brakes you have.

Most of the better brakes have a star washer or friction washer behind the brake and when tightened properly during installation will not move.

Many brakes also have a fine adjustment bolt/screw on the caliper to get the L-R balance dialed in once the mounting bolt is tightened.

cny-bikeman

Not much point in making suggestions until we know exactly what unit the OP has, unless he wants to try every single suggestion above.