Replacing brakes

Sailorchick

Hoping for a little bit of advice here. I have a carrera subway 1 that I have been commuting on for just over a year and the winter has killed the brakes. They don't really move much anymore and the front is permanently rubbing.

Husband has said he'll fit new brakes for me if I buy them, however, I've got no idea really what brakes to get. Is it a case of basically any MTB brakes or is there a particular type/make I should be getting.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

alfablue

It looks like it has "V-Brakes" - any v-brakes would do, however I don't think you need to replace them (I have never had to replace brakes through wear and tear in 18 years of cycling, just replace pads and do maintenance).

With a bit of maintenance you should be able to get them working fine. The cables are most likely gunked up and replacing those should make a big difference, and the brakes themselves could be removed and cleaned and greased. The pads may need replacing. If you are unsure, go to a trusted local bike shop and ask for help, rather than spending out on brakes that you may not need.

Some of these videos may help.

http://bicycletutor.com/inner-brake-cable/

http://bicycletutor.com/replace-cable-housings/

http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-v-brakes/

Sailorchick

Thanks for the links.

The pads are fairly new, have replaced them a couple of times over the last year. The brakes just don't move back out anymore when they are released after braking. So sounds like I need to look at the cables.

Husband has spent lots of time adusting them and they just won't behave anymore.

nicklouse

sounds like the cables are what need replacing rather than the brakes themselves.