Adjusting Caliper Brakes

How to Check and Adjust Electric Bike Caliper Brakes

The latest bicycle brakes are designed to be incredibly powerful and safe. But you still need to take care of them.

Brakes have only two problems:

They can be too tight or too loose.  Brakes that are too tight rub against the wheel and slow you down; brakes that are too loose don't provide enough stopping power.

Keep them properly adjusted, and your riding will be easier and safer. This adjustment applies to bikes that have a frame-mounted brake to grip the sides of the wheel rim.

1. Lift the bicycle off the ground and spin each wheel. If the rubbing is very faint, the problem can be fixed using the brake-alignment screw.
   
   
2. You'll find this small screw on the brake by the wheel rim.  Turn the screw slowly with a small Phillips screwdriver, in either direction, until the brake no longer contacts the rim. Work slowly, and frequently spin the wheel to check for rubbing.  A small adjustment should be sufficient.

Severe rubbing requires an adjustment of the brake cable

1. Using an Allen (hex) wrench, loosen the nut holding the brake cable to the brake itself. Allow the cable to loosen slightly and re-secure the nut. Spin the wheel to test for rubbing. Squeeze the brake lever a few times to be sure the new slack in the cable has reached the brake. Loosen the cable further if necessary.
   
   
2. Immediately in front of the handlebar brake lever is a screw adjuster, through which the brake cable passes. Turn the adjuster ant-clockwise to add tension to the brake cable and thereby increase.
   
   
3. Test the brakes for sufficient tension. If you can pull the brake lever all the way back to the handlebar, continue adding tension.
   
   
4. If the adjuster doesn't add enough tension, the brake cable must be pulled tighter at the brake. Return the adjuster to the middle of its adjustment range by giving it a few clockwise turns.
   
   
5. Follow the brake cable to where it attaches to the brake. Loosen the nut holding the cable to the brake, using an Allen Key.  Using a pair of pliers, pull the cable taut. While holding the cable taut, re-secure the brake cable by tightening the nut with a wrench.

Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the other brake.

Ride the bike to test the brakes. If you have added too much tension and the brakes rub slightly, try turning the screw adjuster clockwise. This will remove a bit of tension from the brake cables.

Cycle Scheme

Get Your Tax Free Electric Bike

Cyclescheme gives you the opportunity to purchase an electric bike tax free through the UK Governments Cycle to Work initiative.

You can normally save between 40 to 50% when purchasing an electric bike through this fantastic scheme and higher rate tax payers could save even more!!

The Cycle to Work schemes are run through employers  and benefit everyone:

• Big savings on the cost of an electric bike for employees
• Healthier workforce for employers
• Reduced congestion and pollution benefits for everyone

In addition to the savings you will make through the scheme you will also continue to make fantastic savings on the cost of fuel and parking.   But not only are electric bikes a real practical alternative way of getting to work, they are great fun.

Todays electric bikes come in many different shapes and sizes such as:

Electric Mountain Bikes
Folding Electric Bikes
Traditional Style Electric Bikes
Step Through Electric Bikes

If you would like to find out more about this brilliant Tax Free Bike Scheme and at the same time try an electric bike for yourself in a safe, traffic free environment, come and visit us at LifeCycle Electric Bikes.

Bikes for the NHS

Tax Free Electric Bikes For All NHS Employees

Part of the Government Cycle to Work Scheme

This is a fantastic Government scheme available to employees in any part of the N.H.S.  The Scheme allows N.H.S employees to make big savings on new electric bikes and benefits the employer by improving the health of their workforce.

You can normally save between 40% and 50%.  The actual amount you pay for your electric bike will depend on your individual circumstances and the way your human resources department runs the scheme.  Higher rate tax payers will make greater savings.

As well as the financial and health benefits of cycling to work, using an electric bike is environmentally friendly enabling you to reduce your carbon footprint.

Bikes For the NHS Scheme Key Features:

• Interest Free Payments over 18 months
• Payment deducted automatically from Salary
• Tax Free
• No Deposit

Email us at info@lifecycle-electricbikes.co.uk or call us on 02380 236 540 to see how you can purchase an electric bike through this brilliant scheme.

Fancy a test drive?  No problem come and visit us and experience just how amazing our electric bikes really are.

For further information about the benefits of owning an electric bike see the following articles:

Beat the Budget –an in Depth Review of the Costs of Owning and Running an Electric bike
Ten Reasons to ditch your car and Invest in an Electric Bike