How to Adjust Sidepull Caliper Brakes
Learn how to adjust brake pads, cable tension and centering on road-style caliper brakes.
Video updates
- 00:13 - Correction: 9 or 10mm open end wrenches.
- 00:25 - Correction: It's called a 4th Hand Tool.
- 00:31 - Watch How to Tape Drop Handlebars at about 00:30 for lever alignment tips.
- 00:52 - Remove the wheels if your pad adjustment is good and you don't want to mess with it. Otherwise you can simply remove the pads for resurfacing.
In this week’s tutorial, we’ll learn how to adjust sidepull caliper brakes, found on most road bikes. For this job, depending on your bike, you’ll need a set of 5 or 6mm allen wrenches, a set of open-end metric wrenches sized 9 or 10mm, a 14mm offset brake wrench for centering, some rough sandpaper for re-surfacing the brake pads, a light lubricant like TriFlow, and an optional 4th hand tool for adjusting the cable tension.
Lever Adjustment
First you’ll want to make sure that your brake levers are properly positioned. Check the handlebar wrapping tutorial for a more detailed procedure. It’s also a good idea to make sure your wheels are properly centered in the frame.
Many road brake systems have a quick release mechanism that loosens the brake enough so that you can remove the wheels. If not you’ll have to loosen the pinch bolt enough to give the cable some slack.
Brake Pads
Now remove your wheel and resurface the pads with your sandpaper to remove road grime. Then reinstall the wheel and check to make sure the pads are lined up with the rim. Some pads have a curved washer that allows you to set the toe-in adjustment. To avoid squealing noises while your ride, try to set the rear of the pad so there is about a 1 or 2mm gap when the front of the pad contacts the rim.
Cable Tension
To set the cable tension, first make sure your barrel adjuster is threaded all the way down. If you have a cable quick release system, make sure it is set to the tightest setting, where the brake arms are closest together. If you don’t have a quick release, you can always back off the barrel adjuster a few turns so that it can be easily loosened later.
Now set the cable tension with the cable pinch bolt. The 4th hand tool makes it easier by pulling the cable for you while you tighten the bolt. This is a personal preference, as it sets how far you’ll have to pull the lever before the brakes contact the rim. Some people prefer very responsive brakes and set them really tight, while others prefer a bit more slack. I like to have the brake contact the rim when I’ve pulled the lever about 1/4 of the way.
Pivot Adjustment
If your brake unit is really stiff or too loose, you’ll have to adjust the main center bolt. Some brakes have two nuts on the front side that turn against each other, while other systems like this one are adjusted by loosening off the back bolt, adjusting the front bolt, and then tightening it against the back bolt. The adjustment is correct when the brakes are tight but function easily.
Centering
Now check the brake centering. Both pads should contact the rim at the same time. If not, you can adjust this by loosening off the main back bolt and placing the centering wrench on the flats of the thick washer on the other side. Center the brakes with the wrench and then tighten the bolt. This sometimes takes a few tries because the brake will move a little bit while you’re tightening.
Once the brake is set up, drop a tiny bit of light oil on the pivot points. Wipe off any excess and be careful not to get any oil on the rim surface or brake pads.
Related Links
- Jim Langley: Brake Adjustment
- Park Tool: Sidepull Brake Service
- Sheldon Brown: Adjusting Sidepull Calipers
- Bicycle Torque Specifications
Recommended Tools
- Park Tool OBW-3 Offset Brake Wrench
- Park Tool HXS-1.2 Hex Wrench Set
- Park Tool Wrench Combo Set
- Tri-Flow Superior Lube
- Park Tool SK-3 Starter Mechanic Tool Kit
- Park Tool PK-3 Professional Tool Kit
Categories
Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum
Bianchi Oltre Pro Garmin Mount
Latest post 5 days agoI am wondering if anyone can help me with the garmin mount that came with my recently purchased Bianchi Oltre Pro. I was on a ride descending and the mount flew off, landing in the middle of the road with my garmin head unit. Luckily the head unit still works with a few minor scratches and cracks. From the picture you can see that it was not that the screws came loose, it was in fact the part of ...
Read moreShimano Deore cassette with SRAM Apex mech
Latest post 6 days agoHello, I'm running an Apex setup on my gravel bike, 40T front to 11-42T back. Could I swap in an 11-46T Shimano cassette (11-speed all round)? Just considering options, as my Apex 11 speed cranks don't go lower than 40T...
Read moreBearing grease
Latest post 2 weeks agofound. please del! sorry...
Read moreBroken Bottom Bracket
Latest post 4 weeks agoAfter 6,000 or so touring miles, the bottom bracket on my Trek 920 broke. Does anyone know what is compatible for a replacement? If I were to choose to replace the entire drive train, what would be compatible? Finally, if I were to replace the drive train, should I go with a 1x for gravel?...
Read moreSchwinn Meridian replacement wheel / axle
Latest post 1 month agoHello, all! Just joined this forum to post this, as I feel like I've looked everywhere online and am going nuts; where would one acquire a replacement for a back-right 26' wheel for a Schwinn Meridian Comfort trike? Mine took a pretty severe hit and suffered multiple broken spokes, and I'm not the most mechanically inclined nor financially comfortable. I figured it wouldn't be that difficult, but...
Read moreMavic XM319
Latest post 2 months agoHello. I have a Mavic XM 319 rear wheel with a 10 speed Shimano/SRAM free hub which I want to convert to 11 speed. Which replacement free hub do I need and will it fit/work? Understand Mavic uses a particular freehub/pawls arrangement so I want to get it right....
Read moreCan't center front hydraulic break caliper
Latest post 2 months agoMy dad gave me his Scalpel 29 4 2013 and I've been working to get it to a good riding state since it sat unused for a long time and the challenge I'm struggling with is disc brakes rubbing. I learned to gravity bleed the brakes, and in the process I cleaned the bike, the calipers and equipped it with new shimano disc rotors and pads (my dad had uberbike ones, they were a little rusted and I wante...
Read moreShimano TZ replacement/adapter
Latest post 2 months ago20240529_144516.jpg (Size: 40.86 KB / Downloads: 39) 20240731_104315.jpg (Size: 52.87 KB / Downloads: 38) 20240731_104315.jpg (Size: 52.87 KB / Downloads: 38) Hi All: I have been using Shimano and VGsports freewheels on my ebike to get a 34t low gear. The gearing is cool but these hubs suck for beach work, one little splash of salt water and they ar...
Read moreHow should a wheel hub feel turning?
Latest post 2 months agoHello, I'm new here, my dad has given me his 2013 Scalpel 29 4 since he no longer rides and I'm gradually learning how to maintain it because it feels like a bike well worth learning repairs and maintenance for. I'm slowly figuring out what it does and doesn't need to have maintained, what has and hasn't stayed in good condition in the time since he used it. While doing some unrelated work (takin...
Read moreSchwinn Meridian (Adult Trike) Back Wheels Stopped Turning
Latest post 2 months agoHi all, I just got a Schwinn Meridian Trike and went on a nice short uneventful ride today - it worked well - and then after doing something else for a bit, I got back on the bike and the pedals wouldnt turn the rear 2 wheels. Both chains seem to be attached and turning, but for some reason the front chain isn’t moving the rear 2 wheels. I don’t understand what could’ve possibly happened. D...
Read moreSturmey gearing.
Latest post 2 months agoHi ... the Sheldon bike calculator does not address changing a 3 speed hub input gear that I could find. Example: 34t crank - 24t input 3 speed - 22t output 3 speed - 28t cassette. I'm getting nowhere trying to juggle 4 gears. Can someone help this tired old biker? Thanks, Zene...
Read moreBottom bracket
Latest post 2 months agoI have Shimano BB -UN72 mm110. I’m sure it’s British thread. What is a compatible shimano part number....
Read moreTrike drive.
Latest post 2 months agoHi ... odd question, but is there any difference between rear adult trike wheel right or left wheel drive? All are right, but I have the keyway to do either. Not sure why right, must be a good reason. I tend to travel around town counterclockwise. Left drive seems as if it would be better. Thanks, Zene...
Read moreE-Bike Power Goes OUT
Latest post 2 months agoI have had a ViVi MT20 e-bike for over a year.I recently changed the worn out brake pads. With a fully charged battery, I rode on throttle only for about a mile. After that, the power went completely out. I turned the key on and off. The LED lights came back on. I twisted the throttle and went about 10 feet and the bike completely shut off.again. Any idea what might be the problem? Thank you!...
Read moreSingle speed conversion issue
Latest post 3 months agoFirst post, be gentle. I'm in the process of converting a 2019(ish) Trek FX 2 Disc to a single speed. I'm using the DMR revolver kit in the back and up front I bought a Shimano Nexus FC-C6000 crankset. I bought it on eBay but I feel like it may be a European model because I never see it on US sites. I removed the derailers, changed the shifter/brake combos to just brakes (Shimano Sora) and re...
Read more