How to Fix Bicycle Brake Pads

If you know how to fix bicycle brake pads you will save yourself time and money. It is fairly easy to fix bicycle brake pads; you don't need to be a bicycle repairman to do so. Some bicycles, such as a child's bicycle, has coaster brakes that are applied by back pedaling. Other bicycles have caliper brakes that have center pull or side pull brakes on the bicycles handles.

Here is what you need to fix bicycle brake pads:

• Wrench
• C-clamp
• Pliers
• Hammer/screw driver

1. If the pads look like they need adjusting, try squeezing them with your hands closer to the bicycle tire. Use the wrench to loosen the locknut on the adjuster screw by hand. Turn it counterclockwise to bring the pads closer to the wheel rim and the opposite direction to move them further away.
2. Tighten the lock nut and test the brakes. This usually doesn't work the first time and the bicycle brake pads will still be out of adjustment, so don't worry if the problem isn't fixed.
3. Loosen the anchor nut and use a C-clamp to hold the brake pads against the wheel. Using pliers, pull the free lower end of the brake cable to take up the slack. While holding the brake cable tight, tighten the anchor nut. Release the pads and recheck the adjustment.
4. Loosen the pivot bolt until the pads come free and do not wobble if the pads on side pull brakes are stuck in the closed position. This will happen sometimes and it requires your immediate attention.
5. With a screwdriver of hammer, gently pund on the caliper that is further away, until both pads are equally balanced. You need to do this if the side pull brakes are not equal distance from the wheel. Just doing these few minor adjustments will fix bicycle brake pads in a matter of no time and with no cost.