Help! - V-brakes problem

[dolliedaze]

Hi, I am new to this forum and fairly new to cycling. I have a Ridgeback low frame meteor and cycle with a local group 2-3 days a week. We do very short rides - 3-7 miles usually. Not very confident but am improving - I think . Don't like bollards and narrow gates, sharp bends or hills

Today I decided I would join the group on a a different route. I put my bike in the back of my car, as usual. When I got the bike out at the other end the lead pipe on the front brake had come loose from its retainer on the brake arm (I think these are the correct terms). Consequently my front brake was not connected and because I didn't know how to fix this I had to come home. Lovely sunny day too! The leader of the group tried to repair but it seems the retainer on the brake arm had become too wide to hold the lead pipe.

My questions are - how could I have repaired this and what tool would I need? When I got home my husband did the repair (without showing me what to do) and he used large pliers. Are there any smaller pliers around that would do the job and which I could have in my car in case this happens again?

Kind regards to everyone
Janet

 

[Spinney]

Hi Janet - welcome to CycleChat!
I'm not sure what you are describing - is there any chance of a photo of the bit you mean? There are quite a few different types of brakes...

Also, you might get more help on this if it is in the Technical Know-How forum - let me know if you want me to move it for you.

Cheers
Spinney

 

[dolliedaze]

Hi Janet - welcome to CycleChat!
I'm not sure what you are describing - is there any chance of a photo of the bit you mean? There are quite a few different types of brakes...

Also, you might get more help on this if it is in the Technical Know-How forum - let me know if you want me to move it for you.

Cheers
Spinney

Oh, thanks Spinney. I would appreciate my post being moved to a more appropriate forum. Have no photos but the brakes are V brakes and it was the front brake connectors that came loose.

Kind regards
Janet

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Like @Spinney I'm not entirely sure about exactly what part it is you're describing. From the description it sounds like something to do with the little metal pipe between the brake outer cable and the mechanism, but I'm not sure. More info needed to be honest.

In the mean time, if you're looking to do repairs yourself there are a couple of websites you might find helpful: Park Tools and Sheldon Brown. Plus of course we will help on here if we can.

 

[Ern1e]

Hi Janet thats the trouble with us blokes we think you girls don't need to know how to fix stuff ! anyway I always carry on the bike a Gerber multi tool this includes screwdrivers knife and plier's etc it was not cheap but is a very usful item of kit,there are simular items out there which are alittle cheaper but I have always found the Gerber to be amongst the best.

 

[lpretro1]

You are describing the part that the brake cable guide pipe (or noodle) slots into - see top left - the little silver part that the silver noodle which has the cable running through it is slotting into

-
If this has opened out then for safety you are best fitting new brake mechs. You can squeeze it back with a pair of pliers but it will just open up again and if you grab the brake it is liable to pop and you will have no braking. Fit better quality if this is what has happened - cheap brake mechs are like butter

 

[dolliedaze]

Hi Janet thats the trouble with us blokes we think you girls don't need to know how to fix stuff ! anyway I always carry on the bike a Gerber multi tool this includes screwdrivers knife and plier's etc it was not cheap but is a very usful item of kit,there are simular items out there which are alittle cheaper but I have always found the Gerber to be amongst the best.

Thank. That's really helpful. Will now go shopping.
Janet

 

[dolliedaze]

You are describing the part that the brake cable guide pipe (or noodle) slots into - see top left - the little silver part that the silver noodle which has the cable running through it is slotting into

-
If this has opened out then for safety you are best fitting new brake mechs. You can squeeze it back with a pair of pliers but it will just open up again and if you grab the brake it is liable to pop and you will have no braking. Fit better quality if this is what has happened - cheap brake mechs are like butter

Thanks for your help. Am going to make do for a while with a pair of pliers as I don't yet do many miles and don't usually cycle alone. I now realise that I will probably have to replace the brake parts. Not sure I understand what exactly I need to buy but will get hubby on the case.

Janet

 

[sreten]

Consequently my front brake was not connected and because I didn't know how to fix this I had to come home. Lovely sunny day too!
The leader of the group tried to repair but it seems the retainer on the brake arm had become too wide to hold the lead pipe.
Janet

Hi,

I really cannot see the possibility of this being true, and its very
difficult to then advise on a problem not accurately described.

Brakes certainly should not need any sort of this type of maintenance.
Its hard to work out what caused the problem in the first place, or the fix.
If its a fairly new bike then go back to the bike shop, this sort of thing
should be covered by the bikes warranty if you have a problem.

rgds, sreten.

 

[rualexander]

Think this problem might be the same as that discussed on the ctc forum herehttp://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=69660&p=598241&hilit=v+brake+failure+noodle#p598241