Emergency help! Brakes again.

[Pat "5mph"]

As I understand it, yes, and that is why the advice to loosen the nut as given above, only applies to road caliper brakes where there is one bolt in the fork crown.

Oh, sorry, I understood the nut that tightens the brake cable on v-brakes was meant.
Hope Sara has sorted it, I remember it took me hours to figure it out, all the you tube videos were mentioning just the springs, never the cable.

 

[Cyclist33]

Hope so too. V Brakes have a lot of potential adjustments if they get knocked out of place! I took mine apart. The spring on one of the arms was bent, it had a dogleg so this was throwing everything else off. I had to beat it straight. There are also little washers behind the arms, where they are bolted to the fork, which change the default brake arm position depending how you position them, because they connect to the spring mechanism.

 

[mcshroom]

Also check the brake pad is making contact with the flat surface of the wheel and not missing too low. If a bit of pad is below the rim then it can cause a lip to form on the pad which holds it against the wheel.

 

[Sara_H]

Unfortunately can't get it sorted. The arm isn't moving at all no matter what I do.

Oh, sorry, I understood the nut that tightens the brake cable on v-brakes was meant.
Hope Sara has sorted it, I remember it took me hours to figure it out, all the you tube videos were mentioning just the springs, never the cable.

Not sorted! Given up now as bed will be calling shortly and I've lots of other stuff to sort out before bed. Will have to make other arrangements, no way I can ride the bike - was planning to do a bike/car swap as OH is on nights so will be coming home when I get there (we work at the same place) so will have to give it a miss.

 

[Scoosh]

Both sides are connected, aren't they ? ie - you haven't released the cable when changing a tyre and omitted to replace the noodle in the the wee locking thingy, have you ?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Unfortunately can't get it sorted. The arm isn't moving at all no matter what I do.

Not sorted! Given up now as bed will be calling shortly and I've lots of other stuff to sort out before bed. Will have to make other arrangements, no way I can ride the bike - was planning to do a bike/car swap as OH is on nights so will be coming home when I get there (we work at the same place) so will have to give it a miss.

You could try riding with only the back brake until you get it sorted, if the trip is really necessary.

 

[Cyclist33]

Sounds like the spring on that arm is either bent or not sitting where it should be.

 

[Sara_H]

Both sides are connected, aren't they ? ie - you haven't released the cable when changing a tyre and omitted to replace the noodle in the the wee locking thingy, have you ?

Yes its in. I think it'l have to wait til the weekend now and Ill take it all to bits and start from scratch.

You could try riding with only the back brake until you get it sorted, if the trip is really necessary.

It's not too much hassle. It was more for OH's benefit, he's just started doing nights again after a couple of years off them and was dreading having to ride up the hill in the Morning, so I was going to drive part way, then ride part way let him ride back and take the car up the hill.

 

[Roadrider48]

Doesn't cut it if v-brakes, as each one is bolted to one of the fork's tines.

Absolutely!

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Sometimes, cheaper vees just go that way in my experience...not sure why, perhaps they make the springs out of those processed cheeztrings things

A mate's Spesh sirrus just kept doing the same no matter what I tried, including removing the brake arms, cleaning the pivots and changing the location point of the spring on the bosses - ended up rummaging in my parts drawer for a spare set of vees I had, as it became clear that they weren't going to play ball.

...although if you REALLY want a brake setup challenge I have the nightmare combo of a Tektro power hanger and Suntour SE cantis in said parts drawre