How to Align Hand Brakes on a Bicycle

Bicycle hand brake alignment is important. Your brake handle should always be within easy reach. You should always have part of your fingers or hand touching your brake handle. Brake handles can loosen or get bumped out of alignment when you fall. Mountain bikers have a single lever for braking. Road bikers have integrated brake and shifter handles, meaning one handle operates both shifting and braking. Hand brakes are easy to align.

Things You'll Need

  • Hex wrench, (Allen wrench) 4mm and 5mm
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Instructions

  1. Mountain Bikes

    • 1

      Loosen one setscrew located underneath the brake handle using a 4mm hex wrench. The setscrew is on the front side of the handlebars, underneath the lever. Look for a circular steel clamp that wraps around your handlebars. The setscrew will be part of the clamp. Do both sides.

    • 2

      Get on the bike as if you were riding it. Put your hands on the handlebars. Without stretching or reaching, open your hands and grab both brake handles.

    • 3

      Move the handles up and down, sliding the clamp with them. When you are comfortable, squeeze the brake lever. If your are satisfied with the position, tighten the setscrew securely.

    Road Bikes

    • 4

      Peel back the rubber sleeve from the point where the brake handle housing meets the handlebars to expose a 5mm hex setscrew. The setscrew will be either on the side of the handle, or directly behind the handle. Loosen the setscrew with a 5mm hex wrench.

      Do both sides.

    • 5

      Get on the bike as if you were going to ride it. Put your hands on the handlebars and grab both levers. Slide them up or down, and left or right until they fit comfortably in your hands when you have your hands on the handlebars in riding position.

    • 6

      Tighten the setscrews securely. Peel the rubber sleeve back down over the housing.