Brake Adjustment - Dynacraft BMX Owner's Manual

BRAKE ADJUSTMENT

CAUTION:
If the barrel adjuster is loosened too
D
much it may fall out, causing brake failure.
Proper brakes will have both pads contacting the rim
at the same time, centered, with the brake lever not
bottoming out against the handlebar grip. In addition to
WARNING:
Make sure your brake pads never make
this, the front of the brake pads (towards the front of the
contact with your tires. If your brake pads rub on the tires, it will
bike) should contact the rim slightly before the rest of the
cause irreparable damage to your tire and tube, and may result
pad. If your side pull brake is not centered, or the pads
in a popped tire and could cause a loss of control resulting in
are not contacting the rim at the same time, loosen the
serious injury or even death.
nut holding the brake to the fork (front) or the frame (rear).
Squeeze the brake lever firmly, and tighten the brake nut
while continuing to squeeze the brake lever. Squeeze the
Your brake pads should always contact the center of
brake lever several times to check to see if the brakes are
the rim and not the tire. To adjust the position of the pad
centered. If your U-Brake pads are not contacting the rim
on your rim, simply loosen the nut holding the pad on
at the same time, use a Phillips head screwdriver to screw
enough to move the pad, reposition and re-tighten. In
in the adjustment screw on the side that is contacting the
addition to being centered on the rim, the front of the
rim first. Squeeze the brake lever several times and re-
pad (towards the front of the bike) should contact the
check the spacing.
rim slightly before the rest of the pad. On a U-Brake
equipped bike, this adjustment can be made by loosening
When squeezed, the brake lever should be firm and not
the brake pad nut, repositioning, and re-tightening. If your
bottom out against the handlebar grip. To remove slack
side pull brake pad is not adjusted like this, you may need
from the cable and make the lever more firm, use the barrel
to take your bike to a bicycle shop for repair.
adjuster on the brake lever or brake caliper. Unscrew the
barrel adjuster and locking nut one turn at a time until the
desired firmness is achieved. Keeping the barrel adjuster in
place, tighten the locking nut back down against the brake
lever or brake caliper. If your brake lever is still too soft after
adjusting, further adjustment may be needed by a bicycle
shop.
32