Felgenbremsen einstellen
Belagspositionierung, Kabelspannung und Hebelhub an Felgenbremsen einstellen.
Goal: Felgenbremsen so einstellen, dass das Fahrrad sicher mit korrektem Gefühl zum Stehen kommt.
Minimum practice time: 1 hour
Materials needed
- • Hex key set
- • Cable cutters
- • Barrel adjuster
- • Clean cloth
Safety first
- ! Always test the brakes at slow speed before returning the bike to the customer
- ! Never ride a bike with brakes that have not been tested after adjustment
- ! Check that brake levers do not touch the handlebar when squeezed hard
Steps8 total
- 1
Test the current brake performance
Squeeze the brake lever firmly. It should stop at least 2 cm from the handlebar. If not, adjustment is needed.
Done when:You know how much adjustment is needed.
Why:Testing first tells you exactly what to fix.
- 2
Loosen the cable anchor bolt
Use a hex key to loosen the bolt that holds the cable at the calliper. Do not remove it completely.
Done when:The bolt is loose enough to slide the cable through.
Why:Loosening the bolt lets you set a new cable tension.
- 3
Set the pad position on the rim
Squeeze the brake pads against the rim. Hold them in place. Check the pad hits the rim squarely and fully.
Done when:Both pads touch the rim surface fully without touching the tyre.
Why:Pads that hit the tyre wear through it quickly and reduce braking.
- 4
Adjust pad height and toe-in
Loosen the pad fixing bolt. Set the pad so the front touches the rim 1 mm before the rear. Retighten the bolt.
Done when:The pad has a slight toe-in and sits 2 mm below the tyre.
Why:Toe-in prevents brake squeal.
- 5
Pull the cable and retighten the anchor bolt
Pull the brake cable taut with pliers while holding the pads against the rim. Tighten the anchor bolt fully.
Done when:The cable is tight and the anchor bolt is secure.
Why:A loose cable will cause the brake to feel spongy.
- 6
Set cable tension with the barrel adjuster
Turn the barrel adjuster anti-clockwise to increase cable tension until there is 2 mm pad-to-rim clearance on each side.
Done when:The pads are 2 mm from the rim on each side when the lever is released.
Why:Correct clearance prevents the pads rubbing on the rim during riding.
- 7
Check brake lever travel
Squeeze the lever. It should stop firmly at least 2 cm from the handlebar.
Done when:The lever has firm feel and stops before reaching the handlebar.
Why:If the lever hits the bar, braking force is severely reduced.
- 8
Test the brakes at slow speed
Walk the bike and apply each brake separately. The bike should stop immediately without the wheel skidding.
Done when:Each brake stops the wheel cleanly and quickly.
Why:A road test at low speed confirms the adjustment is safe before riding.
Common mistakes to avoid
- × Setting the pads too close to the rim — they rub when riding
- × Setting the pads too high — they touch the tyre and wear through it
- × Leaving the cable anchor bolt loose
- × Not testing the brakes after adjustment
Supervisor checklist
Confirm each item is completed before signing off.
- Brake pads are correctly aligned on the rim
- Pad toe-in is set correctly
- Cable anchor bolt is tight
- 2 mm clearance on each side
- Lever travel is firm and stops before the handlebar
- Brakes tested at walking speed
Evidence required
- • Supervisor road test confirms correct braking
- • Supervisor signs completed checklist
Track this work card with a learner
Tick off steps, add evidence and register hours in Bloeiindex.