Rim Braking Systems
V-brakes, caliper brakes, pad alignment, cable routing, and stopping power.
Lesson Details
Skills to cover in the shop
- Proper cable and housing length and routing
- Proper brake pad alignment for available rim brake systems
- Caliper adjustment for linear-pull (V-brake), cantilever, dual-pivot, and side-pull as available
Supporting videos
Key procedures / notes
- Pad must contact the rim squarely, not the tire; toe-in can reduce squeal.
- Set cable tension so levers feel firm with adequate reserve travel.
- Inspect housing ends, ferrules, and cable condition — sticky cables kill braking power.
Skill Checks: 15 Linear Pull V-Brake, Cable & Housing. Diagrams: Linear-pull, V-Brake Blocks, Brake Pad Adjustment.
What you’ll do
Follow the procedures in the lesson document. Complete any note guides or worksheets, then perform the hands-on skill check.
Support materials
Recommended reading
Park Tool Big Blue Book: pages 170–181 (Chapter 12).
