Fixing Stetched Brake Cable

[Kteach]

when I was biking today, I stopped for a break, when I started up again, I didn't realize that my lock was caught on my back break cable. The brake is now really loose and won't engage. The cable still appeared to be attached in the same place, but is really loose. I tried tightening it by pulling more of the cable through, but this pulls through a few inches of cable and, when I turn the wheel, the rest of the brake cable becomes too taught and causes the brakes to engage. Any ideas?

[elmore leonard]

(07-11-2015, 12:21 AM)Kteach Wrote:  when I was biking today, I stopped for a break, when I started up again, I didn't realize that my lock was caught on my back break cable. The brake is now really loose and won't engage. The cable still appeared to be attached in the same place, but is really loose. I tried tightening it by pulling more of the cable through, but this pulls through a few inches of cable and, when I turn the wheel, the rest of the brake cable becomes too taught and causes the brakes to engage. Any ideas?

I would replace the brake cable and it's sheath as they are inexpensive and go from there. Also have you set the shifter in the rest position for the smallest cog or gear to do the cable adjustment?

[nfmisso]

(07-11-2015, 12:21 AM)Kteach Wrote:  when I was biking today, I stopped for a break, when I started up again, I didn't realize that my lock was caught on my back break cable. The brake is now really loose and won't engage. The cable still appeared to be attached in the same place, but is really loose. I tried tightening it by pulling more of the cable through, but this pulls through a few inches of cable and, when I turn the wheel, the rest of the brake cable becomes too taught and causes the brakes to engage. Any ideas?

Sounds like that originally the brake cable clamp was not tightened sufficiently before the incident.  And after, you pulled to much through.

My method is to adjust the barrel adjuster on the brake lever out about 3mm, make sure that the housing is properly seated at every location, loose the cable, hold the pads tight against the rim (sometimes requires a third hand), pull the cable thru, then tighten the cable clamp.  Finally, screw the barrel adjuster back in.  This will work if your rims are reasonably true (±0.25mm side to side wobble).