Loosen brake lever?

delude
delude Posts: 110
edited May 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
I took my bike into my LBS to get the gears aligned and the stretched cable replaced, and i came out with the back gear lever really tight...

My front disc brake lever has to be pulled about a third of the way towards the bars before applying the brake, which I like as it means it is easier to pull.

My back brake lever however is very tight, and uncomfortable (I always keep my index finger on my back brake, and not being able to pull it comfortably actually makes my finger ache and hurt).

Before when playing with the breaks I would simply 'twist the little thing on the brake caliper' (how technical am i?) and it would sort of fine tune the 'tightness', but now it doesn't.

Searched Google and Youtube, but found nothing of any use :(


Thanks :)

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    and the brakes are?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • k2rider
    k2rider Posts: 575
    let a bit more cable back through at the caliper end, but anly about 1/4 of an inch, all u need is a 5mm allen key, loosen off then tighten back up.
    who cares?
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    nicklouse wrote:
    and the brakes are?
    Just some stock disc brakes? I have Shimano shifters, not sure what the brakes are.
    k2rider wrote:
    let a bit more cable back through at the caliper end, but anly about 1/4 of an inch, all u need is a 5mm allen key, loosen off then tighten back up.
    Thanks, I'll try this tomorrow. Is that all I need to do then, just let a little cable through? No other adjustments?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    edited May 2009
    mechanical disc brakes? find out which as they all adjust differently.

    but yes you can play with the cable length.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    Yeah, it's not hydraulic so I guess it's just a mechanical dis brake?

    Cheers
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    delude wrote:
    Yeah, it's not hydraulic so I guess it's just a mechanical dis brake?

    Cheers

    there is not such thing as JUST a mechanical brake there are more variations than gears.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    nicklouse wrote:
    delude wrote:
    Yeah, it's not hydraulic so I guess it's just a mechanical dis brake?

    Cheers

    there is not such thing as JUST a mechanical brake there are more variations than gears.

    Well sorry...but I clearly have no clue and have also mentioned this on a number of occasions. I wouldn't be posting here if I understood how everything works and exactly what it is.
  • k2rider
    k2rider Posts: 575
    do as i said in my earlier post and you will be alright, let it out any further and you can the take up the slack with the barrel adjuster on the lever.
    who cares?
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    k2rider wrote:
    do as i said in my earlier post and you will be alright, let it out any further and you can the take up the slack with the barrel adjuster on the lever.
    Thank you very much, I will do this first thing tomorrow :)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    the reason is that some of the mech brakes out there adjust better by moving the pads away from the caliper.

    just backing off the cable yes can move the lever to the bar but the brake will feel like crap.

    If you dont know what the brake is then the make and modle and year of the bike might help.

    Or just a picture of the brake.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • delude
    delude Posts: 110
    The bike is a 2009 Diamondback Groove.

    Cheers