jorglueke

I am finishing reassembling an old 10 speed with center pull brakes. The front brakes are normal, but the rear brakes cause a violent stop: squeeze the brake, nothing, nothing, then STOP! Granted the rear pads are less worn than the front ones but I've never encountered a bike stopping so hard you almost fall off. What could be my problem?

Bill Kapaun

Rim have a big "bulge"?

79pmooney

Squeeze the brake lever while watching the rear brake and the cable (while you are off the bike). Does everything pull evenly and uniformly? If not, find the hang up. Might be frayed cable strands inside the brake lever housing or at a cable entrance or exit. Now do the same rolling the bike along as you brake. Does the rear brake caliper suddenly move? Maybe play on the mounting bolt or the pivots. If these don't work, get someone to ride beside you and watch.

Edit: If this doesn't shed light, clean your rims and try new brake pads. Contaminated pads can lead to very unpredictable braking.

Ben

jorglueke

I checked the pull and it was a bit uneven and different riding versus walking. Pulling on the brake a few times in both positions eventually got the hang up out and I was able to readjust it. Unfortunately I still had the hard stop. I then swapped out the brake pads (15-20 year old ones) for another set (indeterminate age but not as old.) That did help, the stopping is still a little harsher than I like. But I do have brand new pads coming so hopefully that will solve this issue and I can trash the old pads which apparently do not last forever even if relatively unworn.

europa

Brand new pads (as I note you've ordered) and replace them every year - they do harden with time or get contaminated and if you get the cartridge type, they aren't expensive after buying the carriers in the first place.

frankenmike 

This

jorglueke

Rim is decent