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1. _tom_ - Member

   Got my new bike today (Cannondale CAAD8) and it's very nice indeed, feels great to ride a fast and light bike again Just having a small niggle with the rear brake lever/cable (Tiagra STIs). As I haven't really set up road brakes before I'm wondering whether I'm doing something wrong, though I had to put the front one on and that went on fine. Basically there's some sag or slack in the cable under the top tube (see picture below), which gets taken up when the lever is pulled tight (see other picture below.

   

   
   (when the lever is as in the right hand image, the cable slack is taken up)

   Anyone experienced this and how did you solve it? I've tried loosening the pinch bolt on the caliper and pulling the slack cable through, but it seems to somehow come back. Have contacted the shop I bought it from but tbh I can't be arsed to send it back and all the associated faff, not sure what they'll be able to do about it.

   Posted 4 months ago #
2. crikey - Member

   You just need to tighten up the cable more.

   Need three hands; wind out the adjuster at the brake, making sure the quick release bit on the brake is pointing downwards.

   Then hold the brakes shut on the wheel with one hand, and pull the cable through and clamp it tight.

   This will probably make the brake too tight, so wind a bit off on the adjuster.

   Posted 4 months ago #
3. _tom_ - Member

   aha cheers I didn't think of doing it that way. That's how I used to do my bmx brakes, I have a big adjustable tool thing to hold the pads onto the rim whilst I mess around with the pinch bolt

   Posted 4 months ago #
4. jimc101 - Member

   Didn't the bike shop you got it from do a pre delivery inspection? would be taking it back and geting them to check for what else they have missed.

   Posted 4 months ago #
5. _tom_ - Member

   Apparently they did a pre-delivery check up. The rear derailleur needed a bit of adjustment as well. But to be honest I don't really want the hassle of packing it all back up and sending it off for something that isn't really major. I'd rather just get it sorted and ride it.

   Posted 4 months ago #
6. crikey - Member

   My old racing top tip; don't set the rear brake so it comes on straight away; have a bit of slack in it so when you grab it in an emergency you don't skid everytime.

   Another top tip; when you put the brake on quickly, the rear rim shouldn't move at all. If it does, the pads need adjusting, or the brake needs centring, which you do by grabbing it and pushing it to the right place.

   Posted 4 months ago #
7. coatesy - Member

   Quite possible that the outer cable's not been cut cleanly, and has a bit of a tang on it that's catching the inner. Does it feel a bit rough when you pull it through?

   Posted 4 months ago #
8. _tom_ - Member

   Not really it all pulls nice and smoothly. I'll try doing the cable with crikey's technique tomorrow and see if that solves it.

   Posted 4 months ago #

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