#biketuneup

If you're a cyclist, you know that having properly functioning brakes is essential for safe riding. Brakes are the most important component of your bicycle, and they need to be checked and tightened regularly to ensure they're doing their job and keeping you safe. Tightening brakes on a bike is a relatively simple process, but it's important to do it correctly. In this blog, we'll go over the steps you need to take to properly tighten your bike's brakes.

The first step is to make sure that the brakes are properly adjusted. You'll want to check the brake pads to make sure they're making contact with the rim and that the tension is set correctly. If the brake pads are too loose, you won't get the stopping power you need, and if they are too tight, they'll wear out quickly. If the brakes are not adjusted properly, you'll need to adjust them before continuing.

Next, you'll need to check the brake cable. The cable should run through the housing without any kinks or binding. If it's too tight, it won't be able to move freely, and if it's too loose, it won't be able to provide the necessary stopping power. You'll need to adjust the tension on the cable so that it is neither too tight nor too loose.

Once you've adjusted the brakes and cable, it's time to tighten the brake levers. Depending on your bike, you may have either a single-pivot or dual-pivot brake system. For single-pivot brakes, you'll need to loosen the nut that holds the brake lever to the frame and then tighten it until it's snug. For dual-pivot brakes, you'll need to loosen both nuts and then adjust the tension until it is just right.

Finally, you'll need to check the brake pads to make sure they are making contact with the rim. You may need to adjust the tension on the cable again to make sure the pads are making contact. If the pads are too loose, you won't get the stopping power you need, and if they are too tight, they'll wear out quickly.