Handbrake adjustmentf or small hands.
09-17-23, 01:42 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Handbrake adjustmentf or small hands.
If someone has very small hands and short fingers and cant ride like holding 2 fingers on the break levers can the break be adjusted.
(photo is not my bike)
I adjusted break level using adjustment screw so its default position is parallel to the handle bar (half way pressed), however now i run into problem that after re-adjustment of break cable there's not enough travel of break leaver to fully engage the rim brake.
(photo is photoshop reproduction)
Brake pads already as close to the rim as possible without touching the rim, i can make them more close yes, but i would have to make rim as "true" as possible and i don't feel like doing this now.
Another major issue i see having break pads even closer to rim is locking the rim with slightest push on the lever, i don't like that since its the front break only bicycle.
What solution can you offer?
(photo is not my bike)
I adjusted break level using adjustment screw so its default position is parallel to the handle bar (half way pressed), however now i run into problem that after re-adjustment of break cable there's not enough travel of break leaver to fully engage the rim brake.
(photo is photoshop reproduction)
Brake pads already as close to the rim as possible without touching the rim, i can make them more close yes, but i would have to make rim as "true" as possible and i don't feel like doing this now.
Another major issue i see having break pads even closer to rim is locking the rim with slightest push on the lever, i don't like that since its the front break only bicycle.
What solution can you offer?
Last edited by PimpMan; 09-17-23 at 02:07 AM.
09-17-23, 07:09 AM
#2
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https://prevelo.com/pages/adjusting-...c-brake-levers
Does it have that adjustment screw?
Pet hate: brake, not break
Does it have that adjustment screw?
Pet hate: brake, not break
09-17-23, 07:34 AM
#3
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Looks like that has already been done (see below). I share your pet hate. 
The brake has a certain range of motion based on the cable pull necessary to activate the pads. Reducing the available range, as OP has discovered, risks having the lever hit the bar before sufficient activation of the brake. One possible solution (though probably not a good idea) would be to obtain brake levers with longer cable pull, then adjust the levers to be closer to the bar. Travel would then be adequate, but the braking action would probably be poor.
The brake has a certain range of motion based on the cable pull necessary to activate the pads. Reducing the available range, as OP has discovered, risks having the lever hit the bar before sufficient activation of the brake. One possible solution (though probably not a good idea) would be to obtain brake levers with longer cable pull, then adjust the levers to be closer to the bar. Travel would then be adequate, but the braking action would probably be poor.
09-17-23, 07:47 AM
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If someone has very small hands and short fingers and cant ride like holding 2 fingers on the break levers can the break be adjusted.
I adjusted break level using adjustment screw so its default position is parallel to the handle bar (half way pressed), however now i run into problem that after re-adjustment of break cable there's not enough travel of break leaver to fully engage the rim brake.
Brake pads already as close to the rim as possible without touching the rim, i can make them more close yes, but i would have to make rim as "true" as possible and i don't feel like doing this now.
Another major issue i see having break pads even closer to rim is locking the rim with slightest push on the lever, i don't like that since its the front break only bicycle.
What solution can you offer?
I adjusted break level using adjustment screw so its default position is parallel to the handle bar (half way pressed), however now i run into problem that after re-adjustment of break cable there's not enough travel of break leaver to fully engage the rim brake.
Brake pads already as close to the rim as possible without touching the rim, i can make them more close yes, but i would have to make rim as "true" as possible and i don't feel like doing this now.
Another major issue i see having break pads even closer to rim is locking the rim with slightest push on the lever, i don't like that since its the front break only bicycle.
What solution can you offer?
You may find that using a better quality cable and housing will allow better braking. Also different levers may help - Tektro make short reach v-brake levers, you didn't say what sort of rim brake you have.
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09-17-23, 09:44 AM
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What I don't get is that the OP is talking about rim brakes while the lever clearly appears to be hydraulic. Does Tektro make hydraulic rim brakes?
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09-17-23, 09:57 AM
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And I completely missed that sentence in the middle about using the adjuster screw to get that parallel position. Doh.
09-17-23, 10:44 AM
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What brakes are on the bike?
09-17-23, 04:20 PM
#9
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It was common practice in bike shops to set the brake for the front wheel with more slack so a novice rider was less likely to lock the front wheel and pitch over the handlebars. It also made it easier for people with smaller hands to manage the brake lever.
I would look for brake levers designed for use on children's bikes to see if you can find one that is easier to manage.
I would look for brake levers designed for use on children's bikes to see if you can find one that is easier to manage.
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