Lesson 15 2 weeks

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

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.

Recommended reading

Park Tool Big Blue Book: pages 170–181 (Chapter 12).