Another newbie question regarding wheel movement while braking
09-01-08, 06:25 PM
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Another newbie question regarding wheel movement while braking
hi.
I just noticed that i can see my wheel moving when I hit the brake.
I was just bored on the subway, squeezed the brake and saw this....
Is this instantly a bad sign**********? Do some wheels flex some? Bad brake adjustment? what should I do???/
thanks!
I just noticed that i can see my wheel moving when I hit the brake.
I was just bored on the subway, squeezed the brake and saw this....
Is this instantly a bad sign**********? Do some wheels flex some? Bad brake adjustment? what should I do???/
thanks!
09-01-08, 06:41 PM
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Center your brakes
09-01-08, 06:43 PM
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you need a philips screw driver.
I think it's pretty damn hard to keep your brakes centered if you ride a lot.
I think it's pretty damn hard to keep your brakes centered if you ride a lot.
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09-01-08, 06:44 PM
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You mean the wheel is moving from side to side?
This probably just means that your brakes aren't centred, so one brake pad is hitting the rim before the other. Wheels will flex a bit when that happens, its nothing abnormal.
Check first that your wheel is seated in the dropouts correctly. So loosen of the quick release, give it a shake and pull it right up into the dropouts. Then tighten again.
If they're dual pivot brakes, then just grab the whole brake assembly and move it by hand until they're centred. Check that they centre properly after braking as well.
If they're single pivot brakes then you need to loosen the brake nut, centre them, then tighten it up again.
This probably just means that your brakes aren't centred, so one brake pad is hitting the rim before the other. Wheels will flex a bit when that happens, its nothing abnormal.
Check first that your wheel is seated in the dropouts correctly. So loosen of the quick release, give it a shake and pull it right up into the dropouts. Then tighten again.
If they're dual pivot brakes, then just grab the whole brake assembly and move it by hand until they're centred. Check that they centre properly after braking as well.
If they're single pivot brakes then you need to loosen the brake nut, centre them, then tighten it up again.
09-01-08, 06:55 PM
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You're kidding right? If you have dual pivots (most brakes), just grab them and torque them to the appropriate side. If you have single pivot brakes like zero gravity (mine), you need a cone wrench. But either way, brakes should not be hard to keep centered. I rarely need to center mine and I ride quite a bit.
09-01-08, 06:55 PM
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wow! thanks all! that really helps. I JUST got into cycling two months ago. It is so much fun. EXCEPT buying used bikes as I am a student and still cant afford to throw 5K into a proper one.
you guys have been so great and fast at replying thanks so much!
and DanielS, I appreciate your spelling (ie. centre) I just moved back from two years in England and am still getting used to the American way of spelling!
thanks all!
you guys have been so great and fast at replying thanks so much!
and DanielS, I appreciate your spelling (ie. centre) I just moved back from two years in England and am still getting used to the American way of spelling!
thanks all!
