Sidepull U Brake Advice Childs Bike

[Michael]

Hi everyone,

I am have been messing on with this for four hours now and I really dont know where I am going wrong. My partner bought our son a bike for Christmas and I am having so much trouble with the rear brake.

The rear brake looks to be the same or at least very similar as this one here:



The part I am having trouble with is figuring out which way the spring is supposed to go, on the front brake the spring slot is horizontal and the rear one seems to want to be diagonal on the right, see this picture of what I mean, this is the bike:

[attachment=2921]

Am I able to rotate the spring slot on its own so it is in the same position as the one in the first picture (the dark blue bike)? Perhaps that is where I am going wrong.

Any advice would be really appreciated, I have never been this frustrated in a very long time.

Many thanks.

[Michael]

Okay I tried getting the slot so it was horizontal and forcing the spring the best I could into position so it matched the front brake and the position the spring is on that and I have now snapped the main bolt which goes through the rear of the frame after trying to tighten it with the spring in place, here is a few pictures:

[attachment=2922]

[attachment=2923]

Anyone know what these are called or where I can buy a replacement, any buying tips? I am so annoyed. Are 3 year olds able to use these brakes because I have read they struggle to use them?

I havent been able to find a replacement bolt but I have found these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEKTRO-BMX-BIKE-U-BRAKE-BLACK-ALLOY-BOLTS-FRONT-REAR-AVAILABLE-/280766719716?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item870deac483

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Metal-U-Shape-Brake-Caliper-Repair-Parts-Bike-/180762863022?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2a164e65ae

Would either of those fit the bike with it being a 12" childs bike? Which ones would be best suited if I cant buy a new bolt part on its own?

Thank you

[Painkiller]

(12-19-2011, 04:00 PM)Michael Wrote:  Okay I tried getting the slot so it was horizontal and forcing the spring the best I could into position so it matched the front brake and the position the spring is on that and I have now snapped the main bolt which goes through the rear of the frame after trying to tighten it with the spring in place, here is a few pictures:





Anyone know what these are called or where I can buy a replacement, any buying tips? I am so annoyed. Are 3 year olds able to use these brakes because I have read they struggle to use them?

I havent been able to find a replacement bolt but I have found these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEKTRO-BMX-BIKE-U-BRAKE-BLACK-ALLOY-BOLTS-FRONT-REAR-AVAILABLE-/280766719716?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item870deac483

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Metal-U-Shape-Brake-Caliper-Repair-Parts-Bike-/180762863022?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2a164e65ae

Would either of those fit the bike with it being a 12" childs bike? Which ones would be best suited if I cant buy a new bolt part on its own?

Thank you

this may suit your need, May as well upgrade a pinch
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BICYCLE-BIKE-ALUMINUM-SIDE-PULL-BRAKE-CALIPER-MTB-BMX-/330421924602?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ceeae72fa#ht_545wt_1164

[Michael]

(12-19-2011, 10:12 PM)painkiller Wrote:  

(12-19-2011, 04:00 PM)Michael Wrote:  Okay I tried getting the slot so it was horizontal and forcing the spring the best I could into position so it matched the front brake and the position the spring is on that and I have now snapped the main bolt which goes through the rear of the frame after trying to tighten it with the spring in place, here is a few pictures:





Anyone know what these are called or where I can buy a replacement, any buying tips? I am so annoyed. Are 3 year olds able to use these brakes because I have read they struggle to use them?

I havent been able to find a replacement bolt but I have found these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEKTRO-BMX-BIKE-U-BRAKE-BLACK-ALLOY-BOLTS-FRONT-REAR-AVAILABLE-/280766719716?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item870deac483

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Metal-U-Shape-Brake-Caliper-Repair-Parts-Bike-/180762863022?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2a164e65ae

Would either of those fit the bike with it being a 12" childs bike? Which ones would be best suited if I cant buy a new bolt part on its own?

Thank you

this may suit your need, May as well upgrade a pinch
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BICYCLE-BIKE-ALUMINUM-SIDE-PULL-BRAKE-CALIPER-MTB-BMX-/330421924602?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ceeae72fa#ht_545wt_1164

Thanks, I was able to find the part I needed on ebay so I dont need to pay all the US shipping/customs tax, there doesnt seem to be many sellers in the UK with similar brakes on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-front-rear-brake-cycle-caliper-bolt-/180722004254?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item6fc459c547

If I bought that do you think it would be easy enough for me to fit to the ones that come with the bike if you guys explain the position of where the slot should go?

Thanks again!

[trevgbb]

Ah! the joys of shopping online and assembling yourself, take the caliper into your local bike shop, they will sort you out while you wait, and probably not any more than e-bay. I used to keep these in stock at £1.00. when I was in the business.

[Painkiller]

put it like the first picture, circle of the spring on each side of bolt. the link I gave you I thought was ebay Uk. dept store brakes like on your bike are a pain to set up for sure. the second you squeeze the brake lever one brake pad wants to touch the rim.
the link I gave you should be an easier set up for that style of brake

[Michael]

Cheers guys, I have decided to let him use it indoors during Christmas and then after order a new back and possibly front caliper, these are two I am looking at getting but I trust the look of the dia compe ones more than the other ones:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270799981497?var=570028025182&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-BMX-BRAKE-SET-ALLOY-CALIPERS-CABLES-AND-LEVERS-COLOUR-BLACK-/230700018009?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26​clkid%3D5050994852495450673

Would getting the dia compe ones be a worthy upgrade? Which would you go for yourself for your own childs bike between the two and will those fit this bike yeah? I worry in case the caliper bolts arent standardised

Thanks again for all your help.

[Painkiller]

go for the diacomps

[trevgbb]

you need to make sure the length from the centre of the bolt to the rim is the same!!
as I said before, your LBS will sort you out.