V-brakes produce an extremely high braking force.
You should therefore familiarise yourself with the
V-brake and only apply the brake gradually. Practise
emergency braking until you are sure you will be able
to remain lly in control of your bike if you have to
apply the brakes with force.
If additional suspension elements in the brake system
(power modulators) are used improperly, this can lead
to serious accidents. The required spring strength of the
power modulator depends on the gross weight of the bike.
If the brake blocks are so worn that you can no longer see
notches, have them replaced by a professional bike work-
shop.
21.4.1 Readjusting the brake
The brakes on your bike are set correctly at the factory or
by your cycle dealer. The gap between the brake block and
the rim is roughly 1 – 1.5mm. However, as the brake blocks
wear down the gap steadily increases and the brake lever
must travel a greater distance to achieve the same braking
eect. You should therefore inspect the brake at regular
intervals and adjust it if the brake lever travel distance is
too great or the brake is not working properly.
Check the brake as follows:
Pull the ont wheel and then the rear wheel hand
brake lever with the same amount of force as you
would apply when braking sharply during a ride.
Then push the bike forwards.
The rear wheel should lock and
the ont wheel should decelerate so rapidly that
the bike starts to tip forwards.
21.4.2 Adjusting the brake-pad clearance in
relation to the rim
Turn the cable adjustment bolt to adjust the clearance
between the brake pad and the rim. Turn the bolt inwards
(clockwise) to increase the brake-pad clearance. Turn the
bolt outwards (anticlockwise) to reduce the brake-pad
clearance. The clearance between the brake blocks and
rim should be roughly 1mm.
Adjusting the cable-pull
Cable adjustment bolt
With V-brakes
Cable adjustment bolt
With side pull brakes
