Road bike brake help

[Cyclist33]

I have what I thought was a problem with my back brake, in that whenever I twist the handlebars more than about 45 degrees to the right, the brake pads lock onto the rim.

This seems ridiculous to me as if one is for some reason doing a very tight turn the last thing you'd want is pad rub. Bu the mechanic at the shop I took it to says all road bikes do this because of the setup with the brake cable being at the left hood. He seemed to think I was worrying about nothing, but because he had the manner of a complete and total peanut, I left the shop and the bike wondering if he knew what he was on about.

I've owned 3 rim-braked bikes and never had this problem before, but then I've never had a drop-bar bike before.

Am I just completely stupid?

Thanks

Stu

 

[daSmirnov]

Sounds like the cable and/or housing is just a bit short. 45° is pretty far over though.

 

[Cyclist33]

Thanks mate - that is what some other enthusiasts have said but I don't understand... the cable itself comes down a couple of inches below the adjuster bolt on the brake itself, don't get how this needs to be any longer? The housing is dictated by the frame lugs surely?

Is the housing length cut by the assembler in a LBS typically, or does it get set at point of manufacture before it goes to retail? Just trying to understand it all!

Stu

 

[Tyke]

Just checked mine and get slight rub at 45/50 and locks at about 70. Cant say I would have seen this if you hadn't asked.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

as said before the cables are too short, if it's lugged on the frame then the front section, from brake to lug is too short. a common problem as people go for shorter cables for the 'clean' look.

edit: sometimes it can't be avoided if the cables run under the bare tape and exit too near the headset as then the angle of the dangle won't allow for a loop.

 

[Black Sheep]

My wife's bike locks the back brake at 30deg right hand turn because I've routed the cable the wrong side of the stem, if I routed it the other side it'd be a left hand turn at about 45 / 50 deg turn which is more than enough.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If the cable outer and inner is too short than when the bars are turned the cable will be pulled as if you are pulling on the brakes.

 

[Red Light]

What the others said but in practice you will never have the bars at 45 degrees or if you do you're in trouble for other reasons.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

What the others said but in practice you will never have the bars at 45 degrees or if you do you're in trouble for other reasons.

Well unless you are making a very tight manoeuvre at very low speeds. At any kind of high speed you would end up off the bike and in pain.