How to Mount a Mongoose BMX Brake

Mongoose bicycles are are used by BMX bike enthusiasts across the country. Mongoose, which was founded in 1974 in Southern California, uses front and back V-style hand brakes. Mongoose owners may at some point want to install aftermarket brakes, such as Shimano brakes. The front brake assembly bolts to a post that is mounted on the top of the front forks, while the rear brakes attach to a similar post beneath the seat post. Mounting hardware comes equipped with the brakes. It takes about an hour to install brakes on a Mongoose BMX bike.

Things You'll Need

  • Allen wrench set
  • Open end wrench
  • Pliers
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Slip the left and right hand grips off the Mongoose handlebars.

    • 2

      Slide the rear brake handle onto the right handlebar and tighten the lever into place with the Allen wrench. Slide the front brake handle onto the left handlebar. Tighten it with the Allen wrench and then slip both handlebar grips back onto the handlebars.

    • 3

      Slip the front brake caliper onto the mounting post at the center of the front of the fork. Place the tightening bolt in front of it and tighten it with an open end wrench.

    • 4

      Run the front brake cable through the top of the handlebar mount at the center until it feeds through to the bottom of the front fork. Tighten the handlebar mount retaining bolt with the open end wrench. Mount the end of the front brake cable into the slot on the adjuster bolts on the right side of the caliper. Tighten these bolts with a pair of pliers.

    • 5

      Mount the rear brake caliper on the two mounting posts on top of the rear forks directly behind the chain sprocket, Tighten the caliper down to the post using an Allen wrench.

    • 6

      Screw the rear brake cables to the cable attachment areas on each side of the front frame, directly beneath the handlebars. These two cables merge into a single cable.

    • 7

      Run the rear end of the brake cable through the small hole at the base of the frame and attach it to the rear brake caliper. Tighten the connection with pliers.