magic self locking brakes

[KateK]

Hi folks, has anyone come across this before: I have a 1980s ladies bike (the sort with temperamental old fashioned side pull brakes) and twice this week I've got my bike out to find that the front brakes are fully on. Both times I/we (haven't worked out how to grow a third hand yet) had to loosen off the cable to get them free. But by the end of the ride they're too wide and I've had to tighten up the cable again. After the first time my better half suggested that maybe the pivot was a bit stuck. So the second time I tried giving everything a bit of a move, pumping the brakes a bit etc, everything seems to work freely. I certainly don't notice any stiffness in the brake action when I'm cycling. The brakes certainly aren't on when I put it away, apart from garage goblins the only reasion I can think of is a problem with the brake cable (age unknown)

 

[vernon]

A strip down and replacing the brake cable would not go amiss. If the cable is the original one it could be corroded and lead to internal friction. Replacement cables are not expensive. Wilkinsons could be the cheapest source. Make sure that you make sure that you buy ones that matches the ones you are replacing i.e. the nipple at the end is the correct shape.

 

[fossyant]

New cables (inner and outer), and give the calliper a quick strip down, clean and re-oil. Cables are the biggest offender for sticky brakes.

 

[andrew_s]

I'd guess that turning the bars right round to one side or the other slackens the cable outer enough to let the end of it pop out onto the lip of a stop or ferrule.

 

[sidevalve]

Strip it, clean it, lube it [properly] and unless the inner cable is as fuzzy as a wire brush with snapped strands then there you go.

 

[KateK]

Thanks guys, took it to my LBS and he replaced the wire. He said that there was a kink and corrosion in the wire up near where it joins the lever. Maybe the kink was stretching out when I used it and re-kinking overnight?? There was a gap between the cable housing and the lever too (which he of course sorted) so I guess that's where the water got in... we have had quite a lot of rain this last year. Guess I'll have to learn how to do this stuff myself some time..