Using the brake quick release

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Many brakes are designed with a quick-release capability that makes it easy to spread them apart when you need to remove the wheel. This quick release may also be used if you badly bend your wheel rim and the rim is rubbing the brake pads.

Riding with the quick release engaged will greatly reduce the effectiveness of your brakes.

The quick-release mechanism — which may be a button, a lever, or an easy way to detach the cable — differs depending on the type of brake:

✓ For cantilever brakes, squeeze the brake arms together with one hand to create slack in the cable and, with the other hand, lift the loose end of the cable out of its pocket. Release the breaks and they’ll pop open.

✓ For V-brakes, pinch together the top of the brake arms to loosen the cable. Pull the rubber boot back to expose the cable (see Figure 8-18). Carefully pull the cable out of the narrow slot in the cable holder and release it to open the brakes (see Figure 8-19).

Figure 8-19: V-brakes released.

✓ For center-mount brakes, look for a small lever on the side of the cali­per where the cable is attached (refer to Figure 8-14). Pull it upward and release the brakes just enough to allow the wheel to pass. In some models, you’ll need to look for a button on the hand lever and push it to release the tension on the brakes.

If you can’t find the release on your brakes, examine the brake levers. On some bikes, there is a quick-release button on the brake lever. Push it to increase the clearance between the brake pads.

If you’re trying to remove the tire but you can’t figure out how to open the brakes, try letting air out of the tire. This will reduce the width of the tire and may allow it to pass between the brake pads. After you put the wheel back in place, reinflate it.