How to Change Bicycle Brake Pads on Cantilever Brakes

Cantilever brakes are a type of brake once common on mountain bikes. The brake consists of two "arms" located on either side of the wheel and joined at the center by a transverse cable. Each arm is fitted with a brake "shoe," or pad. This part of the brake grips the side of the wheel during braking. Pads are replaced periodically, when the grooves on the pad surface are no longer apparent. Pad replacement is identical for each pad.

Things You'll Need

  • 10 mm open-end wrench
  • 5 mm hex wrench
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Instructions

  1. Cantilever Brake Pad Removal

    • 1

      Note the cantilever brake pad fixing bolt. Each pad has a fixing bolt, located on each brake arm, which attaches the pad to the mounting post on the arm. On the other end of the bolt is a nut.

    • 2

      Attach the 10 mm open-end wrench to the nut at the other end of the brake pad fixing bolt. Use the wrench to keep the nut from turning while loosening the fixing bolt.

    • 3

      Loosen the fixing bolt. The bolt requires a 5 mm hex wrench. Loosen the bolt only enough to allow the brake pad to slide out of the mounting post.

    • 4

      Slide the brake pad from the mounting post.

    Cantilver Brake Pad Installation

    • 5

      Slide the new pad into the mounting post. Do not tighten the pad just yet.

    • 6

      Adjust the angle and height of the pad so that the face of the pad is even with the center of the side of the rim. The top of the pad should not touch the tire. The bottom of the pad should not hang over the lower edge of the rim.

    • 7

      Hold the nut on the other end of the pad, fixing bolt in place with the 10 mm open-end wrench. Tighten the fixing bolt, using the 5 mm hex key.