Q&A for How to Fix Brakes on a Bike

Check the quick release lever on your brakes. Some people have quick release open without realizing it—they'll assume that they need to adjust their brakes when they really just need to close the quick release.

On most mechanical disc brakes you have one brake pad that sits next to the rotor (like a car brake). The other pad then moves and squeezes it all together. A lot of times, people have the rotor centered evenly between those pads, or they'll have the moving pad situated right next to the rotor. This pushes the rotor all the way over towards the stationary pad before you actually get the brakes to apply—although it's subtle, the brakes won't feel very good and the rotor ends up getting bent.

Try lubricating your braking system first. You could have dirt build-up preventing your brakes from properly releasing. Also, check for rust during this process. (Hopefully there is no rust and you do not need new brake cables.) Second, adjust the brakes using the adjustments near the brake levers. The brakes should loosen up enough if you have a clean and lubricated brake cable, levers, and clamps. Double check that they are not strung too tightly; you may need to manually loosen them. Third, check to make sure your rims are true. You will probably need to bring your wheel to a shop to do this. They can adjust and true your rims if they are not too badly warped.

Lubricate them properly and clean them using alcohol. The cable wire may be rusted, check that too.

The brake pads are either too worn down or the brake cable isn't tight enough. Try loosening the rear nut that holds the cable and pulling the cable tighter.

If you mean when you take a left turn or a right and the brakes don't work as well, check the brakes themselves, it is probably that your breaks aren't evenly spaced to the wheel. The break might be rubbing the wheel on one side and far from the wheel on the other.

Road bikes may have either disc brakes or rim brakes. Try cleaning them or replacing them. Use alcohol or water, and if all else fails, take it to your local bike shop.

If you are riding and they fail, try using the front wheel, your feet or grassy terrain to slow yourself to a stop.

Your rear hub could be loose. I had this problem and thought I had stripped a bearing. This is a typical issue for a newly bought bike after your first 100 km or so. Try tightening your hub. If you are getting more lateral movement than 1 cm on either side, I would bring the wheel in to be serviced.

Try rotating the back of the pads so they contact the rim first, but only slightly, like this: \I/ , except at less of an angle, maybe at a 7 degree angle. Also, if your pads are really worn down, consider buying new ones.