Hello, I have a question, I have been testing my handy hands on bike mechanics on my current mountain bike. I have no problems tightening cables for the brakes(v-brakes) and making sure I have good tension etc.

Now comes my new road bike, I thought I would try to tune my dual caliper brakes, and this is where my question lyes. I loosened the bolt so I can re-tighten the brake cable for my front brake. I try to pull as hard as I could and re-tighten the bolt, and boom, I have no tension on my front brake. I assume that what I need is a TOOL, specifically a bike cable puller? This tool should get my tension back? Why is it easier to work on V-Brakes with ONLY manual cable pulling? And how do you operate a cable puller?

Notice, I am not a handy man but I am not a complete idiot, I know about lubing and threading and un-threading and how to use some tools like screwdrivers and wrenches. Please answer my questions above.