How to Adjust a Brake Cable

Bicycle brakes require maintenance. The more use the bike gets, off-road or on-road, the more service the braking system will require. Pads can loosen or wear down, metal can bend, and brake cables can loosen, reducing the brakes' ability to slow the speeding bicycle. Brake cables can generally be adjusted at home, but most cities have a local bicycle shop with eager bike techs waiting to adjust brake cables at nominal fees.

Things You'll Need

  • Pliers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the brakes' tension. Notice whether it is too tight or too loose. Compress the brake at the handle, and examine the brake shoes or pads to determine whether the tension is strong enough to stop the bike in its common application.

    • 2

      Secure the bike. In a bike shop, the bicycle is secured by the frame for ease of working. If you have a kick stand, put it down. Straddle the bike from the front.

    • 3

      With pliers, loosen the brake cable clamp bolt, likely near the brake hand grip. The cord should relax.

    • 4

      If more tension is needed, push the cable up, and tighten the brake cable clamp bolt with the pliers.

    • 5

      If the brakes are rubbing because the tension on the cable is too tight, loosen the tension on the cable, and tighten the brake cable clamp bolt.