craigba Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 Hey y'all, This is my first post here - not much of a cyclist, but I need some advice (Please). The brakes on my four year olds bike were only working when I pressed them (i.e. applying a bit of pressure), which is useless for him, as it takes him a good few metres to stop. In steps Super Dad (or so I thought)... I loosened a nut on the brake caliipers and as soon as that happened I heard a twang like a spring being released. I tried to fix the brake and I think that I have made it far worse - the brake lever seems to have snapped off and the little round thing (don't you love my terminology) that holds the brake handle together doesn't fit in anymore... Anyways, my question is the following: would anyone be able to advise where I can get a new brake mechanism? Would anyone here be willing to walk me though fixing it? If not, where can I get it done in the area. From what I've gathered on this forum, it seems that Johnson's Cycle Works are not first choice... Any recommendations? Craig
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 hey Craig, Welcome, firstly. Hope you enjoy your time here. Secondly - location? I can't see anything in your post or bio to suggest where you are. Thirdly - a couple pics may help diagnose the issue, and hint at a possible solution without you having to take the bike in to a shop. Fourthly - unfortunately the brakes on kiddies bikes are often utter shaite. V brakes are better, discs are best. U-brakes are atrocious, and there's not much you can do to fix them.
Pure Savage Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 Hi Craig, Where are you based? Sounds like the cable has come out of the housing, no biggy, just need to turn it till it goes back in.
Pure Savage Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 hey Craig, Welcome, firstly. Hope you enjoy your time here. Secondly - location? I can't see anything in your post or bio to suggest where you are. Thirdly - a couple pics may help diagnose the issue, and hint at a possible solution without you having to take the bike in to a shop. Fourthly - unfortunately the brakes on kiddies bikes are often utter shaite. V brakes are better, discs are best. U-brakes are atrocious, and there's not much you can do to fix them. Kittel can do full on skids with his MTB tires on, no problem with decent V brakes, he has also gone OTB as well Swift cant reach the brakes yet, so that helps when they race.
Nakoota Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 Best place around Edenvale will be ridgeway cycles in the motor centre where KFC is in Greenstone.
craigba Posted October 1, 2018 Author Posted October 1, 2018 Hey everyone. Thanks for the welcoming support. Good to know that great communities exist. I am on the East Rand (Edenvale). I'll take some pics this evening and share on here tomorrow. Thanks again for the welcome and the help
rorydewet Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 finish line cycles in kempton do a good job friendly helpful and know what they are doing
TheEd Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 I'm willing to fix it for you, free of charge. Unfortunately I'm on an oil rig in Lake Malawi at present, but will be back by the weekend. If you give me your address, I can have my colleague pick it up. I can have a look at it over the weekend and return it to you as soon as it's repaired. Just kidding! Loads of home mechanics on here, so if you post some detailed photos you're probably going to get some sound advice! In the event that you are unsure on how to post images, please refer to this guide:https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/90344-tutorial-adding-images-to-posts/ Welcome and good luck
Eugene Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 hey Craig, Welcome, firstly. Hope you enjoy your time here. Secondly - location? I can't see anything in your post or bio to suggest where you are. Thirdly - a couple pics may help diagnose the issue, and hint at a possible solution without you having to take the bike in to a shop. Fourthly - unfortunately the brakes on kiddies bikes are often utter shaite. V brakes are better, discs are best. U-brakes are atrocious, and there's not much you can do to fix them.What are U brakes?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 1, 2018 Posted October 1, 2018 What are U brakes?Sorry, I had the wrong terminology. Was supposed to say cantilever brakes, like yyou get on roadies, but except larger and flimsier and made of shitty metal. These are u-brakes. Get them on proper frestyle BMX's and they're almost exclusively found on teh back wheel
craigba Posted October 2, 2018 Author Posted October 2, 2018 Hi Everyone, As promised - pictures: 1) looks like the cable has been separated from the "clip" 2: The brake handle doesn't "spring" back like it's meant to - just hangs loosely: 3: Same as 2 above, just a different angle: 4 & 5: This is the piece that should go into the brake handle, but it doesn't stay in: 6 & 7: Calliper at the back looks like it has come loose: Thanks again guy
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Okay, should be an easy fix. 1 - crimp the brake lever, so that the space between the 2 flanges (where the cable slides through) is narrower. 2 - release the bolt on the brake calipers so that the cable moves freely in its hole (DON'T remove it all the wayy, just loosen)3 - Crimp the other bit of the lever (the fixed portion, not the handle itself) so that the slit is a little narrower4 - squeeze the calipers together,5 - position the grommet on the end of the cable into the hole on the lever, slide the cable into the slit on the lever, and make sure the brown bit behind the grommet (pic 3) goes behind the fixed portion of the lever (that is the stopper, that stops the cable housing from pulling through the hole on the lever when you pull the brakes)6 - keep the calipers squeezed together, and take up any slack in the cable before tightening the bolt / screw on the caliper. Bob's your uncle. As a parting shot - you're not a very hands on person, are you?
craigba Posted October 2, 2018 Author Posted October 2, 2018 As a parting shot - you're not a very hands on person, are you? Um, no. I am trying to, I don't want to lose the man points on a kid's bike...
Kranswurm Posted October 2, 2018 Posted October 2, 2018 Um, no. I am trying to, I don't want to lose the man points on a kid's bike...My advice?....take it to the bike shop...seriously.
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