Brake issue - why doesn't it work properly??

Where are my stabilisers?

Now, I feel bad coz this is a bmx related prob but i know that some of you on here are experts with tech issues so i thought i'd try my luck!!

I bought a bmx recently with tektro u brakes and am having a complete nightmare with the front one! The rear, I have just about managed to get working to a satisfactory level but the front will not stop the wheel no matter how hard i pull on the lever. It wont stop even with no weight on the bike!

First, the brake wouldn't sit central and the pads were too far away from the rim but i have managed to sort this and have changed the angle of the pads to be closer to the rim at the front, but it still doesn't work. it pads do close in on the rim but just wont stop the wheel!

Shall i take the whole thing off and start again or is this brake just rubbish? what can be wrong? or am i just used to my discs on my mtb

nicklouse

does the cable move freely? does the brake move freely?

Where are my stabilisers?

it does seem to - I have tightened it up and the lever is too stiff to pull and when i make it looser it still doesn't work. it just doesn't seem to grip the wheel enough. Even if the pads are very close to the wheel it wont grip enough to stop it moving completly. I've adjusted it at the barrel too but it doesn't make much difference. Is it coz of the Gyro do you think?