V brake problems on bike that is transported in the back of a car

[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 cable/tube on the front brake on the left hand side had come loose from its retainer/connector on the right hand side. 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 metal retainer/connector on the right hand side had been bent out and would not hold the cable. They are V brakes

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

 

[AndyRM]

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXzkL-6pxiQ


Hopefully that can be of some use. Failing that, get your fella to show you what he did.

 

[Cycleops]

I think that what might have happened is that the front brake "noodle" (the L shaped piece the cable runs through) has become dislodged from it's U shaped holder on the opposite side. It requires a bit of pushing to get it engaged so a small pair of flat nosed (or even pointed nose) pliers might be of help. Ask for them at any good diy store.

 

[wisdom]

One of the multitool pliers like you get from screwfix can be handy to carry. They are not bike specific but are often useful if you have a biggish bag to put them in.

 

[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