Front brake lever not fully retracting

[Deleted member 20519]

I've been fiddling about with my brakes all morning trying to fix this.

The brake cable is fine.
The brake lever is fine without the cable attached
The brake arms are springy and there's no problems there

I don't see what the issue is. The brake lever springs back but if you gently pull it and then let go, it doesn't go all the way in, it stops about a centimetre short.

 

[compo]

What did you do that caused the problem or caused you to notice the problem. If you have plenty of spring pressure on the lever and the brake arms then logically the problem must be the cable. Have you pulled the inner through properly. If not that will leave the outer slack with the problem you describe. My money would be on a cable fault, either stiff or maladjusted.

PS, on an edit: Something I have done in the past is to tighten the cable and tighten the securing nut on the brake arm without noticing that the cable outer has caught on a cable guide somewhere along it's route. Once it releases it causes the exact problem you describe.

 

[mickle]

The edge of the worn-out brake pad is popping under the edge of the rim?

 

[Deleted member 20519]

The edge of the worn-out brake pad is popping under the edge of the rim?

Brand new brake pads, fitted a few days ago.

 

[mickle]

Brand new brake pads, fitted a few days ago.

DAMN!

 

[Andy_R]

What did you do that caused the problem or caused you to notice the problem. If you have plenty of spring pressure on the lever and the brake arms then logically the problem must be the cable. Have you pulled the inner through properly. If not that will leave the outer slack with the problem you describe. My money would be on a cable fault, either stiff or maladjusted.

PS, on an edit: Something I have done in the past is to tighten the cable and tighten the securing nut on the brake arm without noticing that the cable outer has caught on a cable guide somewhere along it's route. Once it releases it causes the exact problem you describe.

+1 what he added, done it myself

 

[mickle]

The little spring(s) within the brake is expected to not only pull itself back after use but also drag the cable and the brake lever back to their resting position. The simple physics of the matter is that the spring in your brake doesn't have enough oomph to overcome the combined resistance of drag/load in the system. Check for burrs in the cable or casing, check for kinks in the inner cable or outer casing, check for gunk build up in the cable. Check that all the pivots are free - lube them if not - and lightly lube the barrel end of the cable where it rests in the brake lever handle. Check the brake lead pipe (noodle) and rubber boot if fitted.

 

[compo]

Your bike is scrap now with dodgy brakes.

I'll do you a favour. Give me £15 and I will take it away for you.

 

[Globalti]

Remove the brake arms and refit them with the springs in the third hole, giving them more tension.

 

[fossyant]

Pads catching tyre if a mtb or hybrid. You fitted new cables ? Cable drag from old wires.

 

[sidevalve]

Your bike is scrap now with dodgy brakes.

I'll do you a favour. Give me £15 and I will take it away for you.

I'll do it for a tenner !!! However first try pulling the brake arms apart manually, if the lever returns it's a sticky brake if not it's the cable.

 

[stephen.rooke]

had that on an old bike, just bought a tektro caliper of ebay for £10 and worked better than before

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Thanks for the help guys, got it all working now. I adjusted the spring in the brake lever and I purchased a new brake cable. Perfect