That Most Basic Repair: Brakes

Today's solid direct-pull cantilever brake (disengaged)

Disengaging quick-release transverse cable of cantilever brake

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Current-day brakes are light-years better than they used to be. With better stopping power, improved self-centering (the ability to keep both pads an equal distance from the rims), quality cables (nylon housings, Teflon cable coatings . . . ) that reduce friction and increase a smooth response when we squeeze a brake lever, and top-quality brake pads, brakes are built stronger and last longer.

This is a very good thing.

But by working so well for so long, they also save us from having to learn about the components on our bikes that do the most to keep us from becoming one with trees and tracks. Besides, most of us, if we're honest, will admit that we look at our brakes only when something sounds or feels wrong—when a brake pad rubs against the rim, or when the ghastly squeals begin, or when we notice we aren't stopping as quickly as we should.

Look a Little Closer
The first thing to do, therefore, is to study your brakes. Wipe off the dirt, trip the levers, discover the very useful quick-release mechanisms, (which allow us to separate wheels from the bike without first releasing one of the brake pads or the air from the tire, as it was in the old days), find the in-the-saddle adjustment barrels (for fine-tuning one's pad-to-rim distance), and pay attention to how everything functions.

If it's been a while and your brakes just don't function at all, head to the nearest bike shop to see how they should be working. Drive or push your bike (do NOT ride it if the brakes aren't working). This way you won't despair when the shop mechanic asks you if you have direct-pull, rollercam, cantilever, caliper, center-pull, disk, or any of the other kinds of brakes. You shouldn't lose heart when you hear someone mention "spring-force adjustment screws" or "noodles," or when you happen upon an exploded drawing of all the sophisticated pieces of a modern bike brake.

Don't let it get to you. You don't have to understand it all to ride happily—and safely—down the road. It's not your job to know. It is your job, however, to maintain whatever kind of brakes you have, and fortunately you will be able to do this once you learn some rather simple operations. Just keep your functioning brakes clean, learn enough to make the simple adjustments, and know that in a pinch you can replace a broken cable.

Get to know where and how often to lubricate the brake, what to look for when inspecting cables and brake pads, and how to adjust for proper rim clearance, pad alignment, and toe-in. We'll go through each of these as much as we can, speaking only very generally about the wide range of brakes.

As the saying goes, it ain't rocket science. Thank heaven.