How To Adjust Cable Activated Disc Brakes | Maintenance Monday

Most entry-level disc brake bikes will have cable actuated disc brakes, and adjusting them can seem like a daunting task! But, with some care and attention, it can be done easily with just one tool! Alex shows you how to adjust your cable actuated disc brakes.
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Leave us a comment below!

[@AlexSack]

This was the most succinct & plainly-explained of too many videos I've watched on this topic. You rock. Thanks!

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Thanx! I live in a small town in BC, Canada, and the bike shop cannot fit me in until one month for repairs. I have to do a disc brake adjustment tomorrow, and I am now starting to do my own work on my Rocky Mountain Vertex 10 MTB. I trued my wobbly front wheel today, and fixed a flat on my rear tire also. It is very satisfying fixing my own ride!

[@danrook5757]

What bike do u have

[@BrentCWilliams]

Thanks for this. It's very helpful for those of us with touring bikes, where cable-operated discs are preferable to hydraulic due to less risk of maintenance issues when far away from a bike shop. The hydraulic discs on my road bike are very temperamental compared to the ones on the touring bike, but the modulation when they are working is outstanding.

[@HackHunter1835]

I am glad your video was at the top of my search. Straight to the point, covered all aspects, and no mumble jumble nonsense.

[@Vanguard2323]

Everything I needed to know, clean and simple explanation and the job went perfectly on my end, thanks!

[@JxT1957]

Thank you so much sir, you just saved me a trip to the rip off bicycle shop that wanted $40 to adjust my disc brake.

[@hugobci]

Finally a mechanics video I can relate to my bike 😅

[@sutosomghosh9926]

Best video for adjusting mechanical disk brakes. Short and precise. Thank you.

[@zinkaghost6490]

This is easily the best video I have seen for anything bike related so far. And showed exactly what I needed for connecting my kids brake line. I can't possibly like this video enough.

[@henoleo]

A GCN video that includes a bike for the masses? Count me in!

[@rm709]

This was so helpful, thank you for finally explaining the barrel adjusters correctly and succinctly. Most all videos about adjusting brakes/shifters have missed this. Even the older GCN videos, sorry Ollie!

[@michaelwiniberg150]

What a helpful video - thank you. Unlike far too many videos that take hours to tell you nothing!

[@michaeldavid7959]

Wow. You made that a WHOLE lot simpler than I made it out to be. Thanks for the video!!

[@trilicity]

Only video that actually helped me solve my rubbing problem. Thank you!

[@fidelcastr0]

Great explanation and perfect length for the video. Thanks a lot!

[@quickdraw42]

Great video..thankyou! Wished your garage was down the street....I'd bring my bike to you all the time !

[@davidbeasley1596]

Thanks guys! Was able to adjust myself watching your video. Good stuff.

[@Hardi26]

I love cable actuated disc brakes. I have trp spyre-c and they are great after I have modified them to be useful. I put some grease inside to the bearings that became rusty and I cut a groove to the clamp that holds the cable. Because originally the clamp had teeth machined into the surface that holds the cable(across with cable) to provide superior grip. Those teeth destroyed the cable. After few times adjusting it, there was only 3 furs left holding the cable.. Little bit helped if I did not dightened it so hard, but I never exeeded 7 Nm torgue. Usually it's 7 Nm needed. I think I had 5 at first, because it felt like that's good for it. But tryied also 7 that is recomended for most cable actuated brakes I think. That destroyed the cable.. But now with groove for cable to sit in. It's so good. Now I can use abit more expensive polished stainlesssteel cables. Also kelvar reinforced outers. The front brake is now very smooth firm and well working, comparable to well bleeded/maintained hydraulic brakes, except the actuator arm on caliper flexes a bit when press really hard.. but doesn't compress the cable outer. And sti 5800 brake lever flex too. Mechanical brakes aren't made too good, because the industry want to force hydraulic brakes, that are easier to manufacture and frame designers can design more aerodynamic frames by hiding hoses and don't need to be concerned about best lines for mechanical cables to work properly.

[@Australia-ky7kx]

Thanks for taking the mystery out of the adjustment process

[@kalenburns4190]

one of the best explanations on this thank you

[@welshlad691]

This was very well explained, and covered some of the points that others seem to miss. As someone who has had to take a bike into the shop twice in the same week, due to the front brake locking on during a commute, knowing what I can do to fix the issue enough to get home is very helpful

[@jpack67]

This was absolute magic. I just saved myself a trip to the bike store and now I actually understand how disk brakes work (on ebike). Thank you (subscribed). I should mention I was getting a clicking from my caliber (causing failure) and figured out just a simple drop or two of oil on outside of the caliber (so it closes smoothly) resolved the issue.

[@swordski2]

this video got me back up and riding on the trail, thanks!

[@senismarsenis9678]

Wowewa! Actually a comprehensive maintenance video! Thanks a lot!

[@marshduncanson4150]

This is exactly what I needed to learn. Thanks!

[@germansfinest2220]

Thank you soo much you made adjusting brakes soo simple !!!!!

[@almassengale]

Looks super easy. Thanks!

[@D4RK.14]

Man i almost got hit by car yesterday but i fixed it and now i can ride my bike comfortably

[@paulbate9209]

Thank you for posting this, very helpful

[@nesagljivic]

Simple and effective advice. Good job!

[@andresdominguez1187]

Thank you so much. Now my brakes work perfectly.

[@adamschodron2264]

Thank you sir, your video helped me fix a cable actuated disc brake.

[@matt_acton-varian]

Cable actuated discs will still be common. Eventually even most entry level frames will be made disc only but the cost of making an entry level groupset fully hydraulic would not be economical. So it makes a lot of sense. It would mean that Shimano Claris and Sora would not need complete redesigns and can continue using the tried and tested trickle down tech approach. In all fairness, the latest Claris and Sora iterations are so good for their budget they have very little to no performance disadvantage to the older Dura-Ace and Ultegra of the same speed, just weight. Also the additional refinement of the components (both in tech and ergonomics) mean they look and feel better too. The fact that the latest Sora shifters allow the cables to run under the bar tape makes a cleaner aesthetic than the old Flight Deck levers.

[@NallDave]

Thank You. I just fixed my brakes. Saved this video.

[@anthonyvandenpoel4537]

Thanks! Wasn't able to get the front brake of my daughter's bike right. After watching your video it was fixed in less than two minutes! ;)

[@investinggrind]

This is a very good help. Thank you

[@jayclark1046]

My friend thank you so much for making this easy and understandable video 😊

[@DonJoyce]

Well explained! Thank you!

[@IvanStarling-kg1ei]

I love this portal AC. We can move around the house. Definitely need it for the hot summer.

[@FDonkey]

Excellent video. Thank you very much.

[@MrBeav1018]

thankyou buddy for the tips.

[@cj42]

Seems pretty simple. Thanks

[@thelifeofchrisandkym1569]

Great video. Thanks!

[@johnbishop3784]

oh that was extremely well explained!

[@apm9507]

Thanks Alex!

[@nawles1]

Best video on KZbin explaining this....

[@hamidm5998]

Thanks for the vid 👍

[@jama211]

Thank you!

[@kidsliketolearn]

Excellent video. Helped heaps

[@Silver-st2zq]

Very helpful thanks 👍

[@LeighSteven]

Great video, thank you!

[@Justin-cr3si]

This fixed my brakes and got me to a meeting thank you!

[@myownsite]

Alex looks so fed up in those slomos. I can relate since I've got such brakes.

[@joneaton3366]

Thanks that's really useful 👍

[@jasonengelman1683]

Thanks very useful information 👍

[@auginater4200]

Great video!!

[@zizizmer]

Absolute legend thanks so much for your help mate, saved me so much hastle with getting someone else to fix it🤝

[@Jime0326]

Thank you.

[@chriscastellani9649]

Thank you so much for tutoring video fantastic

[@mosama22]

Man, thank you for the beautiful video, I swear I was seriously considering returning my new bike, cz of the breaks.

[@Ethan-gz4jf]

Thank you

[@thesearemydogs]

Great information. It will definitely help me with my new bike. What I need right now is a video on why my mechanical disk brakes aren’t stopping the bike quickly. I just got a used Raleigh Redux 1 and need to figure out what’s wrong with the brakes. The V brakes on my older bikes work better than these.

[@bmzaron713]

Excellent video!

[@onehourmusicbc]

Mine is a TRP Spyre, no hassling with barrel adjuster. As long as your caliper is parallel to you rotor, 3mm allen key will do the rest.

[@kevinangle5302]

Thanks.😊

[@IvanStarling-kg1ei]

Great way to get into cycling!

[@sarkycutt9611]

Perfect. New bike catching the disc. Two mins later all fixed 🎉

[@philipbowden8065]

Clear explanation. Thanks

[@TMurphy-me8im]

Thanks a lot, I have just adjusted mine. Historically the caliper was usually working properly before the bike was stolen, so I never had to do it on my own.

[@cedricvine2040]

Excellent video.

[@dhatchayinitamilarasan3061]

Thank soomuh it worked

[@josefkurtz2223]

So damn easy. Thanks mate.

[@MomHunterOnline]

solved my loose brakes in 1 min literally... thank you. now i can ride my bike without fearing im going to roll into traffic XD

[@franciscommontielrodriguez707]

gracias!

[@user-fh5gk2rn9f]

very useful

[@0la035]

It's always a good day when the Eurobike Road Bike XC550, 21-Speed Shifting, Dual Disk Brake Road Bicycle makes an appearance

[@jasonjaeger7383]

I had these on my old bike, I had to preload the moving side of the break pad by Mucuna the lever up a little bit and then tightening the bolt. That was the only way I could get it to feel responsive.

[@winniepeg2020]

At last someone with a brain 😂 Thx😎 SUBSCRIBED

[@7mpowerd]

I’ve finally seen one of these eurobime in person stateside. Its something.

[@marcg1043]

Thank you for this clear and straight forward explanation. One question: when do you know it is time to replace the disk or the pads?

[@tomellis4750]

Very good. If you go off road, particularly through grass, check for bits in the mechanism.

[@onooooooooooo]

This video is great and to the point. Not worth making a new video over, but I wish the end of this video covered when it's appropriate to replace brake cables.

[@dereksmallsuk]

Replace them when they no longer work. Duhhhhhhh

[@RicardoRocha-lg1xo]

I have TRP Spyre’s on my road bike. I really like them. Much quieter and easier to live with than the hydros on my gravel bike, even if I do give up a bit of braking power and modulation

[@charliewhelan9488]

The noise will be unrelated. Probably due to contamination 👍

[@jfrtbikgkdhjbeep9974]

@@charliewhelan9488 if it is contamination ( mine were contaminated with oil, grease and the pads were glazed with the gunk.. ) instead of isopropyl alcohol i recomend a sinple solution of liquod palmolive dish washing soap and h2o ... dilute/ mix/ shake well ,, now use a windex type spray bottle to spray into all the pad inserts and onto the rotors directly... you will see all that love grime cause the soapy solution to suds up 🤔 pure magic -- wicked and effective 😙 PEACE

[@dontaskwhatkindofmusic]

great video

[@meekmild8964]

Thanks so much, saved my sons bike

[@garrettmartin4750]

😂 I was struggling so bad trying to figure out how to fix my brakes. I felt super dumb when I realized it was this easy to tighten up my brakes. Now I feel like a bike wizard.

[@user-up6bi6fr8s]

Alex love your video

[@SummerSideOfLife]

I appreciate what you shown us. May I ask what the name and type of tools You used. I need to get a set.

[@MrMethadrine]

No matter what I do I can't have sharp braking without friction between disc and pads..It's very confusing.

[@kaboom1745]

I was finally able to fix my loose brakes after a year

[@bicycledad7660]

When you change the cable do you squeeze the handle

[@WobblePizza]

My new bike has two brake levers per caliper, and that confuses me a little. For the front brake, one lever is adjusted properly, the other bottoms out. I'm guessing when I go look at it again there are barrel adjusters on each of the levers to adjust them relatively. Could be a good video topic.

[@mlustosakm]

waiting a video of upgrading the Eurobike, maybe a sora or tiagra groupset to this bike can be night and day changes.

[@sedr1cc144]

When you pull the brake cable out to tighten it. Should you have the 2 barrel adjusters tightened all the way? Only asking because I've had to adjust the barrel adjusters alot more than I've seen people online do and I know there's a limit.

[@TimJSwan]

My Logan brake doesn't have an Allen wrench bolt on the wheel side. Perhaps there's another way to adjust the right side pad placement?

[@niko_x_zero]

My spacer on the back seems like it was really tightened on. Any advice for loosening?

[@ianpearson8976]

its quite funny how all these guys on this channel have same accent.

[@pro1bro644]

Could I have broken a spring inside the caliber?

[@Jimmyllol]

How about tips on adjusting the cable front derailleur without a barrel adjuster?

[@MrPijus123]

It would be done purely by feel without a barrel adjuster. It can be done but for a home mechanic it would take quite a bit of time to get right. I'd advise replacing the cable and installing an inline barrel adjuster. Cable + inline barrel would cost under $10 and would make all future adjustments a breeze.

[@kentedward9656]

How do you resolve a caliper that isn't braking? my rear caliper stopped working a few days ago and unlike mechanical, I dont know how to fix it