Help on fixing v-brakes, Shimano

Question

I just got this bike http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4232169 and when I pull in the front break the pads almost but don't touch the rims. I tried pulling the cable back to make it tighter but it is all the way and they still arent touching. I dont understand because the back breaks work fine. If anyone knows how to make the break pads closer tot he rim so they touch please tell me!

Answer 1

there are nut on the s***w that hold the brake pad if you loosen those you might be able to get the pads touching the rim i havent tryed it so sry if it doesnt work. One thing that i did try was bvuying new brake pads that were thicker and they worked pretty well you can pick them up at you locAL BIKE shop or even sports authority or even wallyworld  

Answer 2

If you 'just' got this bike, then take it back and have the wonderful, knowledgeable, motivated people in the WM bike shop fix this for you.   I presume you got a complete tune up on this bike before you left the store so I'm sure they musta just missed this one minor point.  After all, bikes are made to go..stopping is of secondary concern.

Answer 3

Use the right size allen wrench to take off the brake pad, then take one of the washers that used to be on the outside on the inside which will put the brake pad closer to the rims. Hope this helps, I had to do the same thing with my bike.

Answer 4

"I tried pulling the cable back to make it tighter but it is all the way..."

>>>How is this possible?  You didn't run out of cable...did ya?

You have too much slack in the cable due to poor installation.  A small amount can be dealt with by adjusting the cable tension at the barrel adjuster and by increasing the spring tension at the adjustment s***w located at the base of each arm (on most linear "v" brakes).

What you probably should do is reposition the cable attachment at the cable fixing bolt on the one brake arm.  That will take in the slack that is prohibiting your brake pads from making contact with the rim.  You can then fine tune your adjustments via the barrel adjuster and tension screws previously mentioned.

Assuming you don't want walmart to correct this (they'll probably get it wrong again), you can find directions on linear brake installation and adjustment both online and at your local library.  

I'm guessing your linear brakes are either no-name or promax.  You may never be happy with their performance.  Should you keep the bike and wish to upgrade your brakes, you can do so relatively cheaply.  Or you can return the bike or whatever.  Choice is yours.