The position of the hybrid bike’s brake shoes was adjusted using a brake shoe tuner.
What is a brake shoe tuner?
Tools to make brake shoe adjustment easier
A brake tuner, as the name suggests, is a tool for adjusting (tuning) bicycle brake shoes.
Brake shoes are parts that press against the rim of the wheel to apply the brakes.
If the brake shoes are not installed so that they are properly pressed against the rim when the brake lever is pulled, the brakes cannot be applied correctly.
Therefore, the brake shoes must be installed correctly.
However, the position of the brake shoes must be adjusted in millimeter increments, and the angle of installation is not just parallel to the rim.
Ideally, they should be installed at a slightly slanted angle, called toe-in, and this is one of the most difficult parts for amateurs to adjust.
In fact, I have also made mistakes in the past when adjusting brake shoes.
As a result of incorrectly installed brake shoes, the brake shoes were touching the tire as well as the rim, puncturing the tire and ruining the tire and tube.
Since then, I have been concerned about the correct position of the brake shoes.
So I decided to try a brake shoe tuner that can adjust the position of the brake shoes in a semi-automatic manner.
What is Toe-in?
Brake shoe toe-in refers to the angle of the brake shoe in relation to the rim.
Shimano’s dealer’s manual also explains that toe-in should be added because of the benefits of angling the brake shoes, such as better brake braking.
Photo via:Shimano Dealer’s Manual
According to Shimano’s dealer’s manual, it must be adjusted so that there is a 0.5mm gap behind the brake shoes,
However, it is very difficult to visually adjust the angle.
This is where the brake tuner can be used to easily produce toe-in.
Incidentally, the brake shoe tuner can also be used to adjust the location 1 mm below the outer circumference of the rim in (Z) in the above figure.
Install brake shoes using a brake shoe tuner
BIKEHAND Brake Tuner
There are various manufacturers of brake tuners.
I chose the BIKEHAND brake tuner.
It is a curved, thin green plate, about the same size as an adult finger.
Brake tuners are available in right and left versions and are marked L and R on the surface.
If you look closely, you can see that it is slightly angled to allow for toe-in.
How to use the Brake Tuner
1.Temporarily fix the brake shoes to be adjusted.
Before using the brake shoe tuner, temporarily fix the brake shoe to be adjusted in a position where it will touch the rim.
2.Install a brake tuner and pinch it with the brake
Install the brake shoe tuner for the left side for the right side so as not to make a mistake.
The brake shoe tuner is a small L-shaped hook, so set it so that it follows the circumference of the rim.
Once the brake tuner is set, close the brake arm and clamp the brake tuner between the brake shoes.
3.Adjust the position of the brake shoes
Slightly loosen the bolt that holds the brake shoe in place, and the brake shoe can be moved.
Adjust the position of the brake shoe by placing it alongside the brake shoe tuner.
Once the position is adjusted, close the bolts to secure the brake shoes.
４.Adjust the brake wires
After pulling the brake wires and adjusting the tension, the brake shoe tuner is removed to finish the work.
Adjustment results using brake shoe tuner
This is a top view of the brake shoes adjusted using the brake shoe tuner.
It is hard to see in the photo, but the angle of the brake shoe has been adjusted and toe-in can be seen.
The condition of the brake shoes after removal of the brake shoe tuner.
Since the toe-in is 0.5mm, the toe-in is perfectly adjusted, although it is difficult to see in the photo.
Of course, the upper and lower positions can be adjusted without any problem.
Advantages of using a brake shoe tuner
I honestly didn’t think I needed a brake shoe tuner.
However, when I finally tried using a brake shoe tuner, it was so wonderful that I wondered why I had not used it earlier.
There are a surprisingly large number of bicycle tools that I think I could do without when I actually use them, and some of them I don’t even use anymore.
However, this brake shoe tuner will be a tool that I will always use when I replace my brake shoes.
Especially for someone like me who has had painful experiences with failure in the past, it is a great advantage to have the peace of mind that comes from using and adjusting a brake shoe tuner that can be set firmly and reliably in place.
Brake shoes are a consumable part, and they are often removed more frequently than one might think, as metal fragments detached from the rim can stick and cause abnormal noise when the brakes are applied.
I am not very good at adjusting the position of brake shoes.
Therefore, I have been trying to avoid adjusting brake shoes as much as possible.
However, I am sure that a brake tuner would make maintenance work much easier.
I think it is so nice that I would recommend it to many people.
I would definitely recommend this tool to anyone who is having a hard time adjusting their brake shoes, so if you have the chance, I highly recommend using it.
It is very useful!
Comments