Hi all! Total bike newbie here, hoping to get some advice. I recently purchased this bike, mostly for commuting to work:
Sun - SKYLAR

I have a question about the alignment of the brake pads. I noticed that on the rear brake, one of the pads is not really parallel with the rim, so the bottom corner of the pad on one side is not making contact with the rim when I brake. Also, the rear brake has been squeaking when a lot of pressure is applied - but I think that might be normal for new brakes, I'm not sure if it's related.

Here are a couple photos:



Is this okay/normal, or does it need to be adjusted so that it's angled with the whole pad making contact with the rim? If it does need to be adjusted, is this something I could do myself? I live a bit far from the LBS and if it's the kind of thing where I could just take a wrench and turn it slightly, that would be much easier.

I know this is probably a very simplistic question - but I appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks!

Initial pad positioning is with the pads parallel (or maybe better said as a tangent as many pads are not curved) to the rim. If the fixing nut/bolt can't keep them so then something is wrong. pads shouldn't be able to move due to braking forces. But as many calipers have some slop in them the more realistic pad position might be based on the situation during braking when the caliper arms are flexing/bending with the forces are pulling then in the direction of the rim's travel. Andy.

You want it to run parallel with the rim so that the entire pad is in contact when braking. The easiest way to line it up is have a third-hand tool or large clamps to hold the brakes close to the rim, then adjust the nut with your free hands.

EDIT: New brake pads can squeak for a few rides until they're broken in better. I usually take sand paper and go over them with a few swipes to help out the process.

Hi citibiker1 and welcome to the forums! Yes you absolutely can adjust your own brake pads. And no the position you show in the pic is not normal - it was just put together in a hurry by the assembler and will cause uneven wear of the rubber.

Loosen nut..realign pad...tighten nut. Sorry, sorta, but isn't this obvious?

Cheapest and easiest way is to use a rubber band on the handlebar looped around the brake lever.

Easiest and cheapest is probably just having someone else hold the brake lever for you. I've never used a rubber band as they're never handy and I don't think I have one thick enough to not break. I'll keep that in mind in the future though.

BITD and actually at work we use toe clip straps to hold a lever at a pre set pull. Andy.

Squealing can be reduced or eliminated by "toeing in" the pads. Viewed from above, the forward ends of the pads should contact the wheel rim first. This may require some slight bending of the caliper arms (the parts that the pads are bolted to). You can do it with an adjustable wrench.

Also, pads that are not parallel to the rim (as shown in your photo) can contact the tire sidewall - not a good thing.

Not to someone whose never seen or dealt with these before. The OP said "Total bike Newbie".

I agree with FBOATSB, it was a sloppy assembly job by the selling dealer. Considering the type of bike this is, I was surprised to see the pads are Kool Stops.

You don't need a 3rd hand tool or someone else to help you.

Loosen the brake shoe bolts.

Take two business cards and fold them in half.

Place one doubled card under the rear of each pad, align the pads to the rim, and squeeze the brakes closed to hold them in place.

Tighten the brake shoe bolts until firm (not super tight).

Release brake lever and do final tighten on brake shoe bolts; hold in place if they want to twist with the bolt.

HillRider, re: "I was surprised to see the pads are Kool Stops" - is that a good thing or a bad thing? Only curious as I don't have context for it.

Thanks for your help, everyone!

Kool Stops are a good brand of bake pads .

Great, good to know.

One other question, if anyone happens to see this - any advice for how to tighten the bolt on the brake pads an optimal amount? I thought I read somewhere that the bolt should be turned tight but not be turned too tight - just wondering how to gauge this.

Tight enough that you can't turn the pad easily with your fingers.