I've owned a couple of decent bikes in the past, but have moved to Brazil and been bought a somewhat cheaper model (Shimano parts etc. it doesn't have). The bike arrived flat packed so I had to setup the gears and brakes, as well as assembling other bits 'n' bobs.
Most of the bike is OK, but I can't seem to get the brake pads to line up properly with the rims. One end of the pad is significantly closer to the rim than the other. Practical upshot, they're not working very well and I can't stop the bike going down hills. Not a good thing.
They're direct-pull cantilever brakes on a mountain bike. I've looked at Sheldon's guide, but as far as I can see I've tried everything outlined there. I'll try to take some photos to illustrate the problem.
I'm basically wondering if there's anything I can do, short of buying a new brake set, or whether it's normal for lower quality bikes?
I've owned a couple of decent bikes in the past, but have moved to Brazil and been bought a somewhat cheaper model (Shimano parts etc. it doesn't have). The bike arrived flat packed so I had to setup the gears and brakes, as well as assembling other bits 'n' bobs.
Most of the bike is OK, but I can't seem to get the brake pads to line up properly with the rims. One end of the pad is significantly closer to the rim than the other. Practical upshot, they're not working very well and I can't stop the bike going down hills. Not a good thing.
They're direct-pull cantilever brakes on a mountain bike. I've looked at Sheldon's guide, but as far as I can see I've tried everything outlined there. I'll try to take some photos to illustrate the problem.
I'm basically wondering if there's anything I can do, short of buying a new brake set, or whether it's normal for lower quality bikes?
There are some truly [censored] bikes out there with truly [censored] brakes. But most of them can at least be set up reasonably, even if they won't work very well. Some photographs would help.
I've owned a couple of decent bikes in the past, but have moved to Brazil and been bought a somewhat cheaper model (Shimano parts etc. it doesn't have). The bike arrived flat packed so I had to setup the gears and brakes, as well as assembling other bits 'n' bobs.
Most of the bike is OK, but I can't seem to get the brake pads to line up properly with the rims. One end of the pad is significantly closer to the rim than the other. Practical upshot, they're not working very well and I can't stop the bike going down hills. Not a good thing.
They're direct-pull cantilever brakes on a mountain bike. I've looked at Sheldon's guide, but as far as I can see I've tried everything outlined there. I'll try to take some photos to illustrate the problem.
I'm basically wondering if there's anything I can do, short of buying a new brake set, or whether it's normal for lower quality bikes?
Some better brake blocks might help: ones with "orbital adjustment" that allow the block to be pivoted, or ones with more adjustment if yours do have some. The more expensive Kool Stop models are good. But this might not be enough if the problem is very bad. How big is the error?
I've owned a couple of decent bikes in the past, but have moved to Brazil and been bought a somewhat cheaper model (Shimano parts etc. it doesn't have). The bike arrived flat packed so I had to setup the gears and brakes, as well as assembling other bits 'n' bobs.
Most of the bike is OK, but I can't seem to get the brake pads to line up properly with the rims. One end of the pad is significantly closer to the rim than the other.
Is it not possible to shape the brake pads with a Stanley Knife so there is more contact with the rims.
There are some truly [censored] bikes out there with truly [censored] brakes. But most of them can at least be set up reasonably, even if they won't work very well. Some photographs would help.
Thanks for the reply. I think it might just be [censored], but there's a bike shop a couple of blocks from here and I'm tempted to take it there. I have a feeling that being a Brazilian bike shop they might be able to work miracles.
Failing that I'll take some photos and post the links.
Some better brake blocks might help: ones with "orbital adjustment" that allow the block to be pivoted, or ones with more adjustment if yours do have some. The more expensive Kool Stop models are good. But this might not be enough if the problem is very bad. How big is the error?
Thanks for the reply. The difference is so big that even pulling the brake levels to their maximum extent I can't stop the bike on a hill. This is with at least one brake block already rubbing, as I got to the end of my patience trying to adjust them. There's probably a 3 or 4mm gap at one end of the brake block when the other is touching the rim.
Is it not possible to shape the brake pads with a Stanley Knife so there is more contact with the rims.
It's a possibility perhaps, but it would mean cutting a lot from the blocks. I need to have another look at the bike to be sure I'm not missing something stupid, and perhaps have a chat with the local cycle shop (although it wasn't bought there). Brazil's a rather odd place, and there are this tuppeny ha'penny cycle shops every few blocks (at least in São Paulo). Most don't have much to sell, but perhaps they have some skill with setting the bike up.
I've owned a couple of decent bikes in the past, but have moved to Brazil and been bought a somewhat cheaper model (Shimano parts etc. it doesn't have). The bike arrived flat packed so I had to setup the gears and brakes, as well as assembling other bits 'n' bobs.
Most of the bike is OK, but I can't seem to get the brake pads to line up properly with the rims. One end of the pad is significantly closer to the rim than the other. Practical upshot, they're not working very well and I can't stop the bike going down hills. Not a good thing.
They're direct-pull cantilever brakes on a mountain bike. I've looked at Sheldon's guide, but as far as I can see I've tried everything outlined there. I'll try to take some photos to illustrate the problem.
I'm basically wondering if there's anything I can do, short of buying a new brake set, or whether it's normal for lower quality bikes?
Even the nastiest bikes can usually be coaxed into some semblance of functionality - the problem is the time it takes to do it, and that once done it may not last very long as parts wear or deform. Getting them to work can take some hammering and bending, but if you hit the wrong bit or bend too far you can break parts or dangerously weaken them. Without any pictures I can't really make specific suggestions.
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