How far back can you pull your brake levers?
08-24-07, 11:07 AM
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How far back can you pull your brake levers?
I noticed today when I was cruising downhill that my brake lever was pulling all the way back so it was touching the drop portion of my handlebar. Is this normal? Do I need to adjust this and if so, how do I do that? I would like to able to apply less "pressure" on the handlebar in order for it to start braking, and also I want to leave my fingers on the drops while braking so they don't get between the lever and the handlebar. Thanks!
08-24-07, 11:13 AM
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If you can pull the lever all the way to the bar without locking the brakes, your brakes are too loose.
First, make sure the quick release lever on the brakes are closed. If they are, its likely just cable stretch, which you can adjust for by screwing the barrel adjusters out (where the cable enters the brake caliper)
If screwing the barrel adjuster all the way out isn't enough, you need to loosen the bolt that holds the cable and pull the cable tighter, and retighten the bolt. ( a third hand tool is helpful for this operation.)
First, make sure the quick release lever on the brakes are closed. If they are, its likely just cable stretch, which you can adjust for by screwing the barrel adjusters out (where the cable enters the brake caliper)
If screwing the barrel adjuster all the way out isn't enough, you need to loosen the bolt that holds the cable and pull the cable tighter, and retighten the bolt. ( a third hand tool is helpful for this operation.)
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-24-07 at 11:22 AM.
08-24-07, 11:14 AM
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I never touch my brakes, I am made of lightning.
08-24-07, 11:25 AM
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I can pull them back until the wheels stop moving... which isn't very far. Maybe an inch total.
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08-24-07, 11:25 AM
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Yeah, you should adjust them or have someone do it for you. I personally like my brakes super sensitive. I barley have to pull them back.
08-24-07, 11:27 AM
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08-24-07, 12:32 PM
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I have V-brakes with a travel agent dingus on the touring bike I use for road purposes, and those do pull back a bit before you are completely engaged. I don't believe it would come back to the bars though.
On the beater I need to tighten up the brakes due to cable stretch on some recently installed cables, I think I can probably pull all the way back to the bars at the moment (I've just been lazy, really.)
On the beater I need to tighten up the brakes due to cable stretch on some recently installed cables, I think I can probably pull all the way back to the bars at the moment (I've just been lazy, really.)
08-24-07, 01:05 PM
#8
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If I squeeze the levers with all I've got, I can get the levers to touch the handlebars (barely). I've never had a reason to squeeze that hard on the road though. If you can get brake lever / handlebar contact under normal braking, then the cable is way too loose. You can attempt to adjust it with the barrel adjuster, but there's probably not enough adjustment range in that to get it "right". Or you can verify that the brake quick release is closed, which would make a significant difference. If neither of those apply, you need to unbolt the cable from the brake end and take up the slack. It's a 30-second job if you have the magic tool (called a third hand). Is the bike new? If so, take it to the shop and get them to adjust it.
08-24-07, 01:11 PM
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Best way:
Adjust the brake lever so you have maxiumum braking power when the lever is almost touching the handlebar.
There's afew reasons for this (which i've read here on another thread somewhere). One reason is that you have maxiumum grip strength when your fingers are already curled as opposed to braking occuring when your fingers are almost fully extended. It's also easier to modulate braking pressure with your fingers curled. The other reason is that it lets you get your fingers over the brake levers and squeezed partially (but not braking yet) which is useful when decending or tackling a technical course while in the drops.
Adjust the brake lever so you have maxiumum braking power when the lever is almost touching the handlebar.
There's afew reasons for this (which i've read here on another thread somewhere). One reason is that you have maxiumum grip strength when your fingers are already curled as opposed to braking occuring when your fingers are almost fully extended. It's also easier to modulate braking pressure with your fingers curled. The other reason is that it lets you get your fingers over the brake levers and squeezed partially (but not braking yet) which is useful when decending or tackling a technical course while in the drops.
08-24-07, 01:14 PM
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08-24-07, 02:02 PM
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I use a little more slack than that. The problem with brakes like that is they require wheels trued to perfection, otherwise risk rubbing.
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08-24-07, 03:16 PM
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Yo can fix that by buying a new wheelset with a slighlty wider rim 
08-24-07, 03:18 PM
#13
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I pull mine about 1/2 way before they make contact. More comfortable and more control when in the drops.
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08-24-07, 03:55 PM
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i like mine 'squishy', where i can pull them back about 1/2 way, maybe a little more than that. my friend adjusted them so that they would only move gosh, maybe 1/2 an inch and i HATED it. i had him fix it back at the next stop sign. it was horrible.
