How to Adjust Side-pull Campy Bicycle Brakes

Campagnolo is an Italian bicycle component maker. Campagnolo, or "Campy," components are seen on many of the professional-level Tour de France riders' bicycles and are available for consumer purchase. Campy brakes use a side-pull mechanism to grip the pads onto the rims, slowing and stopping the bicycle. Adjusting the Campy brakes is done on the fly while on the bicycle or off.

Instructions

    • 1

      Grip the Campy shifter-brake lever combination and locate the cable connection where it runs into the lever. Find the round barrel adjuster at the connecting point of the cable and brake lever.

    • 2

      Turn the right-hand side barrel adjuster to adjust the rear brake. Turn one-quarter turn clockwise to tighten the brake or counterclockwise to loosen the brake. Make these one-quarter-turn adjustments until the brakes grip to your desired settings.

    • 3

      Turn the barrel on the left-hand side of the handlebars to adjust the front brake. Use one-quarter turn increments clockwise to tighten the brake or counterclockwise to loosen the brake. Adjust to your desired settings.