Mount Or Reposition A Dual Pivot Caliper Bike Brake

Introduction

Dual-pivot brakes are simple to set up but the brake pads work in a particular way and need special treatment.

Step 1

Centre The Wheel First

Check the wheel is centred in frame. There’s no point in adjusting the brake if the wheel rim is in the wrong place. The rim must run centred under the central brake bolt.

Step 2

Loosen The Caliper Brake

The caliper brake needs to be centred on the rim. Loosen the nut clamping the brake in the frame.

Step 3

Centre The caliper Brake

Some caliper brakes have 13mm flats between the caliper and the frame and can be held still with a 13mm cone spanner. Other brakes self centre when held closed against the rim. Tighten the nut to lock the brake to the frame.

Step 4

Set The Shoes

Remove the pads if necessary, and lightly grease the threads on the mounting bolts and clamp the pads in position. The block on the side where the cable attaches moves down as it wears so this shoe needs to be set as high on the rim as possible. The block on the other side moves up as it wears so this shoe needs to be set as low on the rim as possible.

Step 5

Connect The Cable

Almost close the barrel adjuster and thread the cable. Hold the caliper closed where the pads are close but not touching the rim. Lock the cable clamp tight enough to grip the cable but not so tight as to crush the cable.

Step 6

Check

Apply the caliper brake to test it's operation.

Pro Tip

If the caliper brake won’t quite release screw the barrel adjuster right down to open the brake a little.

Step 7

Fine Balance

If necessary adjust the grub screw in the caliper brake arm to get balanced action from the two arms. Use small measured adjustments so if things get worse you can go back.