How to Adjust Bicycle Brake Cables

Properly functioning brakes are essential to riding a bicycle safely. If you maintain your brakes, you should be able to notice any small changes in your brake system. If brake cables are not adjusted properly, the brakes will not work to the optimum settings. Save money by adjusting your bicycle brake cables yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Bike stand
  • 5 mm Allen wrench
  • 15 mm spanner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set your bike into a bike stand, so it is held securely in position. Stand next to the bike, so the handlebars are to your left, and the rear wheel is to your right.

    • 2

      Insert the Allen wrench into the bolt on the back of the front wheel brake assembly. Slide the spanner around the nut between the brake calipers and the main column of the handlebars.

    • 3

      Move the spanner and the wrench toward or away from you, simultaneously, to adjust the orientations of the calipers around the tire rim.

    • 4

      Watch the calipers as you move the spanner and wrench to check your progress. You need to keep moving the nut and bolt, until the calipers are equidistant from the tire rim on both sides.

    • 5

      Test the brakes by squeezing the brake lever, ensuring the calipers are touching the wheel at the same time. If they do, hold the spanner still, and move the wrench away from you, until the bolt is securely tightened.

    • 6

      Tighten the brake line by loosening the adjusting barrel and pulling the slack of the line up, until the calipers are tight enough.