How to Adjust Brakes on a Trek Mountain Bike

Trek mountain bikes are made for rough use. You ride them up and down rough trails, over rocks, across streams and anywhere else you want to go. Because of the rough use, important systems like the brake system may get out of alignment. When that happens, you need to adjust the brakes so that you can continue to slow and stop safely and to have the smoothest ride possible while on the trail. Trek mountain bikes use two different braking systems. Each system requires different steps to adjust it.

Things You'll Need

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

  1. Caliper Brakes

    • 1

      Check the brake pad alignment. Squeeze the brake handle and watch wear the brake pads come into contact with the wheel. If the pads are touching the tires when engaged, you’ll need to adjust them.

    • 2

      Locate the brake adjustment nut and loosen it with a wrench.

    • 3

      Reposition the pads so that they are contacting the wheel and not the tire. Also adjust the pad alignment so that the front of the pad is angled inward. This makes for better stopping.

    • 4

      Tighten the adjustment nut until it is secure.

    • 5

      Examine the calipers that hold the break pad. They should be centered evenly over the tire. If they lean to one side or the other, loosen the mounting bolt for the calipers and adjust them until they are centered. Then re-tighten the bolt.

    • 6

      Check your work by applying the brakes. Make sure everything is lined up and that the pads squeeze tightly against the wheel.

    Disc Brakes

    • 7

      Check the brakes by squeezing the brake handle. See that the brake pad and disc make good contact when you do. If not, you need to adjust them.

    • 8

      Locate and loosen the caliper retaining screws. Squeeze the brakes again until the pad and disc make contact. Keep the brake handle squeezed while you tighten the caliper retaining screws. Release the brake.

    • 9

      Check your work by applying the brakes again to see that they make the necessary contact.