The best thing about travelling by bike is being able to move much more freely than with any other vehicle: pedalling over every type of terrain, discovering unexpected spots, stopping in places that would otherwise be difficult to reach. But this sensation of freedom would not be the same without safety, an indispensable element not only for cyclists. Safety is a combination of many things, first of all the perfect working order of the brakes. We therefore offer you three practical hints for checking the brake mechanism like real experts, in the comfort of your own home.
Checking the cables.When you pull the brake lever, the cables should run freely in the sheath: if they make any resistance, perhaps they are stuck in the lining. To check whether the brake lever is working correctly, bear this hint in mind: its maximum movement must be about 1 cm, towards the handgrip, it must never get too near the handgrip or even touch it! If this happens, it is time to adjust the lever.
Checking the brake pads.The brake pads are the two hard black rubber parts that pinch the rim of the wheel. If they are too worn, it is easy to understand what that will mean for the safety of our bike. But don’t worry: checking the wear is easier than you think. That is the purpose of the vertical notches on their surface: the shallower the notches, the more the brake is worn, and vice versa. Are you having problems understanding the state of the surface notches? No problem: your local
Askoll Store can give you the best advice.