yaganon

I just bought a 'packleader' hybrid for $200 (plus fenders).

I was putting it together, and I discovered the front and back brakes are screwed up. When I squeeze, only one side moves, the other side sticks to the frame. Tightening the brake onto the frame disables the brake pads from springing back after I squeeze them.

Help

fietsbob

Got a bike Co Op to join? they may teach you some basic mechanics..
so much better than typing words..

FBinNY 

If you have typical caliper brakes, there's a nut and lock nut on the front which controls the play on the arms. They must be adjusted so there's the minimum play while still allowing the arms to move freely, then the lock nut set to keep the adjustment.

On the back (behind the fork) there's the nut which holds the brake on. Loosen that, center the brake and tighten in that position. It should now open and close from both sides. Keep the pivot oiled with a light oil, and likewise oil where the springs meet the arms, because friction in these places can cause even a perfectly adjusted brake to open unevenly.

yaganon

Returned the bike.

I tried tightening the nut. I think I said it already. Tightening it only makes the brake pads not come back to their original positions when I squeeze the brake

not my problem now. I'm going on craigslist.

FastJake

You returned the bike because you couldn't figure out how to center the brakes? Sheesh.

FBinNY 

No, because we couldn't explain it to him.

fietsbob

Hence the suggestion to go to a place that teaches you
how to fix your own bike, hands on.

Now the OP can take the $200 and put it towards a bike from a proper bike shop,
which has people to help you after the purchase..

I expect the left a lot to be desired , like proper assembly.
a BSO?

yaganon

There were other things wrong with the bike. for instance, part of the tire sticks out in the front wheel such when pumped to ~25 psi, you can practically see the edge of the outter tire that's suppose to be inside the metal frame. Sorry if you don't understand, I explained the best I could.

And despite the discount, it was clear that this bike wasn't going to last me very long.

So no, I didn't return the bike because of the brakes. It was a cheap bike.

And I tried following the instructions you gave me. It was a caliper brake, and there were only two nuts. One in the front and one in the back. Everything else was just washers and fittings. And like I said, tightening the nut too much makes the brakes stay in place and not bounce back when you release it. That only leaves the lack of lubrication, or just a bad spring. I had a bike that braked unevenly because the spring was more bendy on one side than the other. Getting another spring helped a little bit, but now the arms are uneven, so the pads have to be more apart so the pads' edge don't catch (this is my 80s road bike; the bike I want to buy is for my mom, she prefers hybrid or mtb. But would take a road bike if it's dirt cheap and not cheaply made).



btw. please suggest whether it's worth it to buy a 10 speed fuji bike for $135. It's from craigslist, and the guy won't send pictures. But he says that he knows it's a great bike... https://desmoines.craigslist.org/bik/2328432884.html

or maybe this one https://desmoines.craigslist.org/bik/2312130329.html

FastJake

The tire wasn't mounted correctly.

None of the issues you describe are things that are broken or defective with the bike. They are assembly errors, and very simple ones at that. At some point, no matter what bike you buy, things will go out of adjustment or something will go wrong (flat tire for example.) At that point, you'll either need to fix it yourself or take it to a mechanic and pay to have them fix it for you. This is why knowing basic mechanics is very helpful. You'll save money, and you won't need to wait for a shop to fix your bike.

Buying an older used bike on CL is almost guaranteed to need some form of a tuneup.

xenologer

Heck no. Can't see the condition w/o pics.
And how do you even know the frame sizes are right for you? neither link lists it.
Lack of info on first link, and the cut/pasted info on the second link
both scream stolen bikes.
Keep away from em.

yaganon

There was a bump, as in the inner tire was thicker at that particular section, hence why the outter tire was protruding. How is that an assembly error? Have you ever seen the outter tire protruding in a particular section because of an assembly error? If so, then please post a link or something so I can see.

tortugaflats

bead did not catch in the rim. hundred of threads to correct the problem

2manybikes

A bit of the tube may be pinched between the tire edge and the "shelf" the tire is supposed to rest on. It's an easy fix, but the tube might be ruined. In either case when you air up the tire,the tube will probably blow in that spot. One needs to deflate the tire and lift the tire carefully to see what is in there. It's not a bike problem, it's an installation problem. Or as others say, the bead may not be seated properly. It's a person problem, not likely a bike problem. It happens often with beginners fixing a flat.