adjusting side pull brakes

[gaz]

How the hell are you meant to do it?
i undid the nut that held the cable on the brake, and due to the spring it just poped open. so the only way i could think of getting it to be tight enough was to pull the two side parts together until nearly touching the rim and then pull the wire taught and do the nut...

is this the way other people re-set the position of there brake cable on there bike?

 

[MacB]

You can but I've found brakes and gears infinitely easier since I bought a 'third hand' cable pulling tool:-

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Third_Hand_Cable_Puller/5360031497/

 

[gwhite]

You can but I've found brakes and gears infinitely easier since I bought a 'third hand' cable pulling tool:-

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Third_Hand_Cable_Puller/5360031497/

I remember that the bent device used for holding the blocks together was called the "Third Hand", while the one pictured was always the "Fourth Hand".
I know we have inflation but really!

 

[tyred]

You can but I've found brakes and gears infinitely easier since I bought a 'third hand' cable pulling tool:-

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Third_Hand_Cable_Puller/5360031497/

Nice little gadget which I never seen before. I clamp the pads to the rim with a G-Clamp.

 

[HaloJ]

I recently replaced my rear brake pads (opted to do one wheel at a time so as not to kill myself). I've been annoyed that the pull on the brake was so large on the new pads. I discovered this evening when giving the bike a once over that I forgot to loosen the tension adjuster at the bar end.

I'll pick one of those tools up now though as holding the arms with one hand the cable with the other and tightening the bolt with an allen key in my mouth couldn't have been a pretty sight.

EDIT : I've also just learnt the difference between sidepull and V brakes. :?