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Set Toe On V-Brakes


Tioz

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Hi guys I just want to check if I'm doing something wrong.

It seems I can't manage to set the toe of the pads properly..I pull the brake lever to get the pads tight against the rim and tighten them; then when I release the lever the pads drag towards the front (the direction the wheel's turning)

I read of a method of putting rubber bands on the pads to help set the toe but it said to put the bands on the back of the bads..that would just make the toe even less favoureable

Any ideas there? I'm getting rid of the shitty tektro arms..a pair of shimano xt is on their way :turned: But I want to know if I'm doing something wrong setting them up :unsure:

Should I bet setting the bads closing the brake arms by hand and not by pulling the lever?

Edited by Tioz
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are the conical washers on in the right order? They should be in this order (though you can swap the thick and thin ones depending on how wide the rim is).

If they are in the correct positions, then sometimes it takes trial and error, you may have to over compensate when setting up the pads so that when you tighten them, they move into the correct position.

I always set up my pads one arm at a time just by holding the arm and pad against the rim to initially set the position and tightness (without the spring attached, just makes life easier), then connected the brake and pulling hard tightened the pads (this stopped them from rotating so I could get the pad nice and tight).

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are the conical washers on in the right order? They should be in this order (though you can swap the thick and thin ones depending on how wide the rim is).

If they are in the correct positions, then sometimes it takes trial and error, you may have to over compensate when setting up the pads so that when you tighten them, they move into the correct position.

I always set up my pads one arm at a time just by holding the arm and pad against the rim to initially set the position and tightness (without the spring attached, just makes life easier), then connected the brake and pulling hard tightened the pads (this stopped them from rotating so I could get the pad nice and tight).

This! I did the same (oh Ali told me so...)

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I had this a lot when I was a halfords mechanic, it's normally because the arms are shit and are not straight so when you tighten up the pads max out their free movement and are still toed in. There is a way to solve it but it depends on the actual set up you have. any chance of a couple of pics?

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I had this a lot when I was a halfords mechanic, it's normally because the arms are shit and are not straight so when you tighten up the pads max out their free movement and are still toed in. There is a way to solve it but it depends on the actual set up you have. any chance of a couple of pics?

I'm getting XT arms next week so at this point I'll just wait and see how it goes :D

The arms now are utter shite..one's higher than the other, they have loads of play and when braking they move forward..

Edited by Tioz
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The best way to have the brake pads set is to have them toe inwards slightly at the front of the pad and as you brake and the forks twist the pads will press harder on the rim

This may work for a conventional bike but for trials it'll be gash.

In trials your wheel moves backwards and forwards instead of just forwards. This mean the brake will underperform if the wheel ever rolls back. Plus it'll make the lever feel squishier.

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