Hi all,

THis is a pretty basic newbie question. The brake levers on my wife's mountain bike feel mushy. I've replaced the brake cables and have the pads as near the rim as possible without any rubbing, but the levers still feel "mushy" to me -- that is, in reference to the point at which they engage.

Is there an adjustment on the levers themselves that can help with this?

The levers are pretty standard -- nothing fancy. I don't see a manufacturer logo on them anywhere but most of the other components on the bike are Shimano.

Thanks.

Consider replacing the stock pads with compatible Kool Stop pads. These pads come in "salmon" (for wet conditions) and "black" (for normal conditions). I've had very good luck with both versions. Also take a look at the late great "Sheldon Brown" bicycle maint/repair/info web pages for detailed instructions on everything you need to know about part(s) replacement and maint (various SB links are located near the top of the Bike Forum homepage).

Really depends on the components on the bike. Some entry level V-brakes are more flexible than others...

Also, some manufacturers will place a safety spring in the barrel of the brake noodle so the brakes aren't applied too forcefully by a new rider.

Changing pads/pad compounds could also do the trick.

mxonlonx is correct. Note: Make sure that both brakes are "centered" (see Sheldon Brown). Off-centered brakes can result in spongy braking (you'll notice that the wheel moves to the left or right when you apply the brakes (while standing still) if the brake arms/pads aren't centered over the wheel.

Lacking specifics..

'Mushy' is sometimes the result of high mechanical advantage,
and for someone that does not have the grip of a sheer wall rock climber,

that may be a decent adaptation to modest hand strength.

does She like it, like that? its her bike after all.

Also, excessive pad toe-in, poorly cut housing, and poorly seated ferrules can lead to mush on top of poor centering.

If the cables wiggle more than they do on a bike with solid feeling brakes, they're robbing the motion of the cable that clamps the brakes together by wiggling. Try cutting the ends square[r] and reseat the ferrules if you can.

Personally, I like a semi mushy lever, I've always felt it helped me modulate the brakes better.

Canti levers on linear brakes are VERY mushy. Some levers have a setting for both canti and linear. Do the brake arms seem to move a normal amount in relation to the cable pull? You seem to have a sense of how brakes should feel, compare her brakes to a bike you approve of. Take note of what's different beyond just the feel.

Thanks for all comments. I shall consult Sheldon Brown (as I often do).

Truth is, it's a crappy department store bike. She crashed it last Feb (https://bluelung.blogspot.com/2012/02...really-do.html) and it was due for replacement, but our air conditioner crapped out in April...that and a few other unexpected big bills forced us to put this off.

Yeah, what is up with that!?!? Whenever I think I have enough money to splurge on something, it is almost inevitable that some thing or other will break, and have to be repaired or replaced at about the amount I had saved. The furnace, pipes, washing machine, the car's air-conditioner... if it's not one thing, it's another...

"it's a crappy department store bike."

The limit on brake feel may be set by the bending of the brake arms which are notoriously flexible on lower-end bikes. Many such bikes also have excessively-long cables which make their own contribution to flex.

I agree with the majority that the brake "U" is likely flexing. There is an adapter plate sold on EBay that you install over the stock "U" bracket to re-inforce it. They only cost a few bucks too. Sorry I don't have a link but if I havetime later I'll try to find it for you.

Bob

Maybe pursuing a firm lever feel is not worth doing; if the bike stops OK and she doesn't mind the way it feels it might be best to just leave well enough alone.