Strange Triban 3 brake problem - pictures.

[mickle]

Over use of the centering screw Undo the brake centre bolt then tweak the centering grub screw until the arms are the same length. Then tighten the centre bolt again. A last little tweak of the centering screw should be all you need.

 

[Globalti]

Is that the grub screw in the underneath of the brakes, below the central mounting bolt? What does that do? I always assumed it was something to do with the assembly of the brake.

 

[Rob3rt]

Is that the grub screw in the underneath of the brakes, below the central mounting bolt? What does that do? I always assumed it was something to do with the assembly of the brake.

No the centering screw is the grub screw you just fettled. It is used to make fine adjustment to the brake so both pads engage simultaneously. Adjust it so both arms are the same length, this is your starting point. Also put the cable tension bolt fully down. Then loosen the brake caliper from the frame, close it manually using your hand onto the rim (to centre it) then re-tighten it. From this point you should be almost 100% centered. Close the caliper by hand and insert the cable and tighten it down, when you relax it it will most likely spring out a bit, if not, then you pulled the cable too tight, re-do it without pulling the cable too hard. Now align the brake pads with the rim and toe them in a tad. Once you are happy with this, make some final adjustments to the grub screw to ensure both brake blocks engage at the same time on both sides of the rim. You should be set, but you can alter the cable tension to bring the pads in toward the rim a bit if needed, or to give you the feel you like when squeezing the brake lever.

 

[Globalti]

Thanks. I'm familiar with adjusting the overall "posture" of the brake caliper by swinging it on its mounting bolt to get the blocks equidistant from the rim but have never needed to adjust the little grub screw.

 

[Rob3rt]

Yes, I thought I might be teaching you to suck egg's but was easier to just write the whole process rather than just comment on the grub screw in case the context wasn't clear otherwise.

Basically, do as you usually do then, but make sure you alter the grub screw to have the brake symmetrical beforehand. If you do that, then the centering screw should only need a teensy tweak. Possibly the reason for it's weird alignment you experienced was due to lazy/poor fitting and then over compensation with the grub screw.