Brakes
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Rachel knew she was forgetting something... Photo: Timothy Armes
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The condition of your brakes is one of the most important things about your bike
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Don't get distracted by how pretty your handlebar tape is. Although it is nice...
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Are your cleats worn?
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Amazingly, the BBC weather app recognises the TWC office... ahem.
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Clapham to the Le Tour De France wine shop is our most-ridden, obviously.
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Brakes
Give ’em a squeeze
Do your brakes stop your bike? It sounds basic, but make sure sure of this before going anywhere. Even the most seasoned cyclists can forget to hook them back up after maintenance.
If the braking is less immediate than usual, use the barrel adjuster to take up a little of the slack (anti-clockwise for tension). Consider if anything else could be effecting your brakes: are you cables in good shape?
Brake pads
Ensure that your brake pads are hitting the rim squarely to prevent tyre wear and, of course, you going over the handlebars.
Are the pads looking worn? Many have a wear-indicator to show whether they will last your ride. Replace them if things aren’t looking good.
And remember, don’t mess with your brakes if you aren’t confident. Get yourself to a mechanic.