Brakes; Adjustment – Sidepull Calipers - Infinity MOUNTAIN BICYCLE Owner's Manual

Detailed Maintenance
5

Brakes

The correct adjustment and operation of your bicycle's brakes is extremely important for safe operation. Brakes should be checked for
effective operation before every ride. Frequent checking of adjustment is necessary as the control cables will stretch and the brake pads
will become worn with use.
Never ride a bicycle unless the brakes are functioning properly.
There are two types of hand operated bicycle brakes in common use: sidepull calipers and cantilever calipers. Both utilize a handlebar
mounted lever which controls a cable to operate the brake. Sidepull brakes are mounted to the frame or fork via a single pivot point.
Cantilever brakes use two brake pivot arms, each mounted on separate pivots on either side of the frame/fork.
Brake Cable
Brake Arm Straddle Cable
5
Cantilever Brakes
74
Inspection
Brake levers should be checked for tightness at least every three months.
They should be set in a comfortable position within easy reach of the
rider's hands, and must not be able to move on the handlebar. Some
brake levers make us of a reach adjustment screw, which can be altered
to the distance between the handlebar grip and the lever, as required. The
brake pads should be checked for correct positioning and tightness before
every ride, and the various bolts and nuts at least every three months.
Squeeze each brake lever to make sure they operate freely and that the
brake pads press hard enough on the rims to stop the bike. There should
be about 1mm – 2mm clearance between each pad and the rim when the
brakes are not applied. The brake pads must be properly centered for
maximum contact with the rim. Replace the brake pads if they are over
worn so that the grooves or pattern cannot be seen. The brake cable
wires should be checked for kinks, rust, broken strands or frayed ends.
The outer casing should also be checked for kinks, stretched coils and
other damage. If the cable are damaged, they should be replaced.
Some brakes have a quick release mechanism to allow easier wheel removal. Whenever you adjust he brakes make sure that quick
release mechanism is in the close position.
Cable Adjusting Barrel
Lock nut
Lubrication
Brake Lever
The brake lever and brake caliper pivot points should be oiled with 2-3 drops of
light oil at least every three months to ensure smooth operation and to reduce
Brake Lever Housing
wear. Cables should be greased along their entire length, after removing them
from their casings, at least every six months. Always grease new cables before
fitting.
Adjustment – Sidepull Calipers
Cable Adjusting Barrel
Minor brake adjustment can be made via the cable adjusting barrel, usually
located at the upper cable arm. To adjust, squeeze the brake pads against the
Center Bolt
rim, loosen the lock nut and turn the adjuster. Brake pad clearance should be a
Brake Shoe
maximum 2mm form the rim. When correct, re-tighten the lock nut. If the pads
Cable
cannot be set close enough to the rim in this manner, you may have to adjust
Anchor
Bolt
the cable length. Screw the barrel adjuster 3/4 of the way in, squeeze the pads
Fixing Nut
against the rim, undo the cable anchor bolt and pull the cable through with
in Back
pliers. Re-tighten the cable anchor bolt and apply full force to the brake lever
to test, then fine tune using the barrel adjuster. If one pad is closer to the rim
than the other, loosen the fixing nut at the back of the brake, apply the brake to
hold it centered, and re-tighten the fixing nut.
Side-Pull Brakes
Detailed Maintenance
Never ride unless the quick release is firmly locked in the
closed position.
Ensuring the brake fixing nut is secured tightly.
Failure to do this may cause the brake assembly to dislodge
from the fork.
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