V Brake tension screw
07-15-25 | 10:33 AM
#1
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2025
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V Brake tension screw
Hello,
Does anyone know the proper name for the little screw on V Brakes that you adjust to change how far the brake pad sits from the wheel rim? I'm trying to fix my nephew's bike and he has somehow managed to bend one of the screws so now I can't make the necessary adjustment. I need to order a replacement but I don't know what to search for as I don't know the correct name for it?
Thanks
Does anyone know the proper name for the little screw on V Brakes that you adjust to change how far the brake pad sits from the wheel rim? I'm trying to fix my nephew's bike and he has somehow managed to bend one of the screws so now I can't make the necessary adjustment. I need to order a replacement but I don't know what to search for as I don't know the correct name for it?
Thanks
07-15-25 | 10:44 AM
#2
Mad bike riding scientist
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,209
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Hello,
Does anyone know the proper name for the little screw on V Brakes that you adjust to change how far the brake pad sits from the wheel rim? I'm trying to fix my nephew's bike and he has somehow managed to bend one of the screws so now I can't make the necessary adjustment. I need to order a replacement but I don't know what to search for as I don't know the correct name for it?
Thanks
Does anyone know the proper name for the little screw on V Brakes that you adjust to change how far the brake pad sits from the wheel rim? I'm trying to fix my nephew's bike and he has somehow managed to bend one of the screws so now I can't make the necessary adjustment. I need to order a replacement but I don't know what to search for as I don't know the correct name for it?
Thanks
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
07-15-25 | 11:22 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,379
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
My usual way to find a suitable screw is to take the old one to my screw source (box of old take offs or the local hardware store) and rummage through the selection till I find a good enough substitute. Andy
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AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
07-15-25 | 05:05 PM
#5
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Joined: Jul 2025
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Thanks, that could be a useful suggestion. I think I have figured out the screw that I need and I have ordered it but your suggestion is definitely worth keeping in mind.
07-15-25 | 05:11 PM
#6
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Joined: Jul 2025
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Thanks for all of your replies.
I think I have worked out that I need a M3 12mm Phillips pan head screw. Got some on order and they should arrive on Thursday.
No idea how he managed to bend the screw though - he's quite a small kid and there's barely a mark on the rest of the bike. A couple of months ago I had to replace the noodle of the front brake as it had a near 90º kink in it. How do you manage that?!!
I think I have worked out that I need a M3 12mm Phillips pan head screw. Got some on order and they should arrive on Thursday.
No idea how he managed to bend the screw though - he's quite a small kid and there's barely a mark on the rest of the bike. A couple of months ago I had to replace the noodle of the front brake as it had a near 90º kink in it. How do you manage that?!!
