How to Install a Shimano V-brake
Mountain bikes require a brake that can handle the rigors of off-road riding, without becoming fouled by mud and dust. Shimano's V-brake is designed to this end. The V-brake features two brake pads and two arms fastened independently to the bicycle frame. The two arms are linked by a single cable that is connected at the other end to a brake lever on the handlebar. When the lever is pulled, the two arms contract, forcing the V-brake pads against the sides of the wheel.
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Instructions
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1
Lift the first arm included with the V-brake and align it with the brake mounting post on the bicycle frame. A pair of mounting posts is located above the front and rear wheels. Each wheel uses one brake.
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2
Install the brake arm onto the mounting post, with the pad facing the wheel and the small stopper pin on the side of the arm inserted into the spring hole on the mounting post.
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3
Thread the fixing bolt into the Shimano V-brake arm and mounting post. Tighten the bolt with a 5 mm Allen wrench.
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4
Lift the second arm. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to mount it to the bicycle frame.
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5
Pass the cable from the brake lever through the metal cable lead at the top of the Shimano V-brake until it emerges from the other end.
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6
Grasp the end of the cable. Pull it through the cable fixing bolt at the top of the opposite arm until each brake pad moves approximately 1 mm from the side of the rim.
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7
Use the 5 mm Allen key to tighten the fixing bolt onto the brake cable.
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8
Squeeze the brake lever up to 10 times and once again check the gap between each pad and the rim. If one pad is sitting further away from the side of the rim than the other pad, proceed to Steps 9 and 10.
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9
Locate the spring tension adjustment screw on the side of the Shimano V-brake arm of the pad that is sitting furthest from the side of the rim.
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10
Use a Phillips head screwdriver and turn the screw counterclockwise to move the pad closer to the rim. Turn the screw until the pads are equidistant, approximately 1 mm each, from the side of the rim.
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