v break problem

ledzepploid

Hi,

I have a problem with my rear v break. Its a cheap bike and they have never been quite right since I have had them (after cycling for a while they would move and one pad would end up leaning in too close and would touch the wheel), so I thought I would have ago at fixing it myself today and made the problem a whole lot worse.

I checked out videos on youtube and thought I knew what I was doing, but now when I pull the break leaver down the pads do stop the bike, but once the leaver is released the pads just seem to stay where they were. I'm not sure what type of V break I have, I assume I have the cheapest possible.

Any suggestions for a fix?

Thanks!

nicklouse

sounds like the shoes are catching on the tyre.

ledzepploid

Thanks, checked that but they don't appear to be touching the tyre, they are just not springing back into the pre breaking position after I engage the break..

chedabob

Check the bolts that hold the arms on aren't too tight. Also make sure the cable is moving freely. Mine wouldn't return properly because there was a crack in the housing that was snagging the cable.

If you've got threadless pads (http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/images/12491.jpg), you can always move them back slightly.

nicklouse

are the springs engaged?

more info
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=21

Rindle

I agree with Cedabob about the cables. Cheap cable often aren't lined very well so strip and aply a small amount of grease to the inner cable.

ledzepploid

Thanks for the link. I sorted the problem out mostly by following the instructions on there