Brakes rub when reinstalling wheel

chrisc said:

I noticed that when reinstalling my wheels (front or rear), the
brakes seem to rub on one side. If I loosen the skewer and push it
away from the side that rubs , then retighten it, it''s fine. Why
does it do this.? The wheels seem true. They are new. Is this normal?
I notice on the Tour when they install them after a flat, they don't
need to do any of this? Is it just on less expensive bikes? Thanks
all.

You should adjust your brakes to your rim(s), not the other way around.
Seat the wheels firmly in the drop-outs, and then adjust the brake arms so
that the pads are evenly spaced on each side of the rim wall. This
shouldn't require much tweakage after initial setup, unless you move the
whole caliper when removing the wheel (just move it back after
reinstalling).

Neil will be along with a link shortly.

:-P

B

"Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

chrisc said:

I noticed that when reinstalling my wheels (front or rear), the
brakes seem to rub on one side. If I loosen the skewer and push it
away from the side that rubs , then retighten it, it''s fine. Why
does it do this.? The wheels seem true. They are new. Is this normal?
I notice on the Tour when they install them after a flat, they don't
need to do any of this? Is it just on less expensive bikes? Thanks
all.

On the tour most bikes will have a small quick release lever on the caliper
which slackens the cable enough to slot the wheel and tyre in and out once
the wheel is installed flick the quick release back and off they go. Do you
have caliper brakes installed with a single pivot point, I have experienced
the same in the past. If you hunt around you can pick up some reasonably
priced techno dual pivots for under £30 in the UK or try ebay.

cheers
Jon_H

Quoted message said:

You should adjust your brakes to your rim(s), not the other way around.
Seat the wheels firmly in the drop-outs, and then adjust the brake arms so
that the pads are evenly spaced on each side of the rim wall. This
shouldn't require much tweakage after initial setup, unless you move the
whole caliper when removing the wheel (just move it back after
reinstalling).

Neil will be along with a link shortly.

:-P

B

That makes SOOOO much sense!

"Bill Sornson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

chrisc said:

I noticed that when reinstalling my wheels (front or rear), the
brakes seem to rub on one side. If I loosen the skewer and push it
away from the side that rubs , then retighten it, it''s fine. Why
does it do this.? The wheels seem true. They are new. Is this normal?
I notice on the Tour when they install them after a flat, they don't
need to do any of this? Is it just on less expensive bikes? Thanks
all.

You should adjust your brakes to your rim(s), not the other way around.
Seat the wheels firmly in the drop-outs, and then adjust the brake arms so
that the pads are evenly spaced on each side of the rim wall. This
shouldn't require much tweakage after initial setup, unless you move the
whole caliper when removing the wheel (just move it back after
reinstalling).

Neil will be along with a link shortly.

:-P

B

You don't have cantilever brakes, do you? This happens with
cantilevers when one of the return springs pops out of place from
behind the brake arm. It is easy not to notice the spring sticking out
when this happens.

No cantilevers. I did as Bill posted and all is well. Thanks.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

You don't have cantilever brakes, do you? This happens with
cantilevers when one of the return springs pops out of place from
behind the brake arm. It is easy not to notice the spring sticking out
when this happens.