BMX Bike Rear Brake Assembly Instructions

The brakes on your BMX bike are an essential part of riding and stopping safely. They make slowing down when you've gathered too much speed easier, make holding the bike up in a manual position simpler and more intuitive, and in general make riding a much less worrisome experience. If you've taken the rear brake off your bike, or have acquired a bike that requires that the rear brake be assembled before riding, learn how to perform this procedure at home.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 mm hex wrench
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • 10 mm wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set your bike upside down on its handlebars and seat so you can spin the rear wheel while you work. This will allow you to ensure that you are installing the brake properly as you go.

    • 2

      Locate the two rear brake bosses on the rear triangle of the frame. These can be found above the seat stays of the frame, or on the upper of the chain stays. They will look like two small cylinders sticking out of the frame near the tire. Slide the right arm of the brake caliper onto the right side brake boss, then the left arm onto the left brake boss. Secure the brake arms by threading in and tightening the included 5 mm hex bolts.

    • 3

      Attach the cross cable, the short cable with a small cylinder at each end, to each arm of the brake caliper. Tug on the cable to ensure that it is secure and that the brake arms move inward when the cross cable is actuated. Attach the cross cable puller, a small piece of metal the wraps around the cable and has a small nut attached to it, to the cross cable.

    • 4

      Follow the rear brake cable from the right brake lever to the rear of the bike. Loosen the small nut at the end of the cross-cable puller using a 10 mm wrench to reveal the rear brake cable stop hole. Insert the end of the rear brake cable into this hole and pull it taught using a pair of needle-nose pliers. Tighten the small nut on the cross cable puller to secure the cable in place. Pull on the rear brake cable to ensure it will not slip beneath the cable stop bolt.

    • 5

      Pull on the rear brake lever and watch the action of the rear brake caliper arms. When the cable is pulled, the brake caliper should close, moving the brake pads toward the rim. If this does not happen, loosen the cross cable puller bolt and retighten the rear brake cable in the cable stop. Then spin the rear wheel and actuate the brake lever. If the wheel stops abruptly when the brake is pulled, you're ready to ride.