How to fix the brakes on a bike?

I used my (normal) bike for downhill, and the brakes are raped. Can I re-adjust them so they work properly?

 

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If they look like this your cable may have slipped which would require loosening the anchor bolt and pulling more cable through. Then re tighten the anchor bolt.

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Here ya go:
http://bicycletutor.com/

 

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Insufficient data error.

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I assume we are talking about a bicycle, and not a motorcycle. Is this a mountain bike or a ten speed?(as if they made regular old ten speeds anymore).

If the problem is, that pulling the lever all the way does not exert enough braking force, and you need to increase the amount of braking, there should be a connection where the cable meets the brake caliper that you can loosen a nut, remove the slack from the cable, and retighten.

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Sometimes spraying a little "DW-40" or other light oil down the housing of the cable will allow for easer movement. a few squirts on the brake handle and calipers wouldn't hurt either.

 

Ya that was what I meant. Thanks for the advice.

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I personally like to keep my front brakes adjusted just to the point before they lock up, when you pull the brake all the way. I don't like it too tight, because I have had situations where I did a "panic brake", locked the front wheel, and went flying over the handlebars.

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I've done that. I was on the way down a steep, and uneven, incline, swerved, went 'Oh shit', braked too hard, went over the handlebars. Luckily though the angle I fell at meant that I rolled over instead of just slamming into the ground, and I got off lightly with a sore right shoulder and some really nice contusions.

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I managed something similar going down a big slope at the quarry on my BMX. I got half way down and bricked it so I pulled on my brake (only have a back brake), the wheel locked and the bike skidded out and I rolled the last 20m or so into a sandy ditch.

 

I got up to 50 mph on my bike once, but luckily my brakes worked.

 

my tires blow from all the braking...they literally blow along the circumference of the wheel.

 

Then your brakes aren't set up right -- they should never rub against the tire.

 

Yup, they should grip the wheel, not the tire.

 

Ouch. Were you ok?

 

Of course not. You've seen his posts here, haven't you ?

lol just kidding Steve

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No worries Enmos, and yes I was fine, only broke a thumb and a few bruises.

 

You got lucky I suppose ? There had to be rocks around I guess..

 

Nah, it's mostly just little stones as it is an old limestone quarry. It's the bits of burned out cars you've got to look out for.

 

lol Ok

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This is the quarry in question
http://photos.marmot.org.uk/a/322
http://photos.marmot.org.uk/a/126
http://photos.marmot.org.uk/a/118
http://photos.marmot.org.uk/a/110
http://photos.marmot.org.uk/a/64
http://photos.marmot.org.uk/a/16
http://photos.marmot.org.uk/a/250

Not my pictures by the way. Check out the bikes these guys are using, and to think I was and still am stupid enough to use a BMX.

 

Ah I see, it's mostly sandy.
Lol at the bruises.. "My bruise is worse than yours !"

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