Pushbike brake problem

hulda

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but it seems to be the nearest category. I'm fixing up an old pushbike -just to commute a few km to work. It's an old Milazo which I've had in my parent's garage for about 5 years, bought secondhand. It's only problem now is THE critical one. The brakes. The front brake, only one brake pad moves reliably, and the back brakes don't respond at all when I press the brake levers on the handlebars. I think they are side-pull cantilever or caliper. I'm not sure of the age but it looks like the ones I grew up with in the early 90's. Anyone know what's likely going on and how to fix? Thanks in advance:)

Edit: I see I should have put this in Motoring, Public Transport & Cycling. Would a mod be able to move it, please?

Jamie_Carter

You will need to strip the brakes down, and lubricate all the working parts (obviously not the pads), including the cables and levers.

With side pull brakes on pad often contacts with the wheel first, but as you pull harder the system will balance out, and the other pad will also contact. So you need to make sure the calipers can pivot freely.

pledgeX

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

You will need to strip the brakes down, and lubricate all the working parts (obviously not the pads), including the cables and levers.

With side pull brakes on pad often contacts with the wheel first, but as you pull harder the system will balance out, and the other pad will also contact. So you need to make sure the calipers can pivot freely.

I second this. I recently had a similar problem with my gears instead of the brakes. I took the cables apart and they were caked in gunk which was stopping the cable from sliding up and down. A simple clean up and they were good as new.

hulda

Thanks. I might have a go at taking them apart and seeing if it's just gunk or whether it's rust. If rust and it all needs replacing I might throw the towel in and buy a low-end new bike, as it looks like that would cost more to replace than a brand-new bike. With current petrol prices in my country it would still pay for itself in petrol savings within 3 weeks:eek:.

Jamie_Carter

hulda wrote: »

Thanks. I might have a go at taking them apart and seeing if it's just gunk or whether it's rust. If rust and it all needs replacing I might throw the towel in and buy a low-end new bike, as it looks like that would cost more to replace than a brand-new bike. With current petrol prices in my country it would still pay for itself in petrol savings within 3 weeks:eek:.

Cleaning and lubricating will be very a cheap fix.

phead

Brake arms seldom jam, cables always do. Just throw away the cables, both inner and outer and replace.

Jamie_Carter

phead wrote: »

Brake arms seldom jam, cables always do. Just throw away the cables, both inner and outer and replace.

That may be the case with the rear brake. But with the front brake one arm is moving, and the other isn't. So in this case it is most likely to be the callipers (arms).