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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#Cycling #GCN #GCNTech #RoadBike

Have you ever adjusted cable disc brakes? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Blue Gold - Far Orange

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Leave us a comment below!

[saladtater]

By far the easiest talk through and follow along video yet. I can not stand to watch tutorial videos that's all talk and no hands on instructions till a hour into the video. Get a clue people and quit wasting everyone's YOU for this posting!!!!

[AlexSack]

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

[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.

[mr.blackhawk]

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!

[HackHunter]

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

[Rom-vj]

You saved me! Need my bike today, the front break been a problem for awhile but today it gave up fully. Was calling around bike shops but getting no answer. Didn't think it would be so easy to sort out but your video helped me resolve it. Thanks man you really helped me out today!

[welshlad]

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

[sutosomghosh]

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

[optimalprimidius]

US here. Got a new bike and you just saved hours and Thank

[frankcastle]

Can't thank you enough for posting this. It's the best, simplest most concise brake adjustment I've seen for cable operated disc brakes. The front and rear brakes on both my Aventon E-bikes were getting a tad sloppy at the lever and this is exactly what I needed to bring it back to factory pull and feel.

[Ochigava.]

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

[kevinkruize]

Clearest explanation in the least amount of time.. thanks!!!

[mikeystanton]

Absolute life saver video; properly panicked after initially changing my pads and thanks to this sorted! 🙏

[Hardi]

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.

[zinkaghost]

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.

[Vanguard]

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

[Australia-kykx]

Thanks for taking the mystery out of the adjustment process

[quickdraw]

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

[michaelwiniberg]

What a helpful video - thank you.

Unlike far too many videos that take hours to tell you nothing!

[FredoLegend]

Bro, this video helped me out a lot !
I have an e bike and my brakes were ass, saw what I had to do
Not sure if I did it correctly but I sure can brake a lot better