How to Repair Hand Cycles for Brakes
Brakes on a bicycle are provided to keep the passenger safe allowing for a more comfortable bike ride. However, these brakes can only serve their true purpose when they are operating correctly. If there are any issues with the hand bicycle brakes, repair to them needs to be performed promptly.
What You'll Need:
- Basic wrench set
- Needle-nose pliers
- Hex wrench set
- Oil-based lubricant
- Place the bicycle on a work stand or its kickstand. Completing this step will prevent the bicycle from tipping over while the repair is being performed.
- With a hex or combination wrench, begin loosening the cable stops located on the front and rear brakes. Gently push the cables up and down in the housing area. If they are stiff or hard to move, remove the cables from the housing area and apply a liberal amount of an oil-based lubricant into the area. Insert the cables back into the housing area.
- Reset each barrel adjuster. Complete this step by turning each of them in a clockwise direction toward the handles. Tug on the cables tightly by using need-nose pliers to maintain a firm grip. Tighten the cable stop of each of the brakes using a combination or hex wrench.
- Squeeze each of the brakes separately. Completing this step will test the responsiveness of the brake. The further the brake lever pulls toward the handle bar, the lower the braking power. Turn the barrel adjusters in a counterclockwise direction in order to tighten the cable if needed.
- Take the bicycle into an open area to test it.