How to set up your brakes (video)

If you need to adjust your brakes, this shouldn't mean a trip to the bike shop. Adjusting them is something that can easily be done with basic tools. Brakes that are properly set up will work better and require less maintenance. Here is a step by step video and guide on how to setup and adjust your brakes.

The tools you need for this are really simple. 4mm and 5mm Allen keys (or hex wrenches) are all that are required. You may wish to use a torque wrench if you want things to be more precise, but this is not essential. Below are our instructions on how to setup and adjust your caliper brakes.

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Oliver Bridgewood - no, Doctor Oliver Bridgewood - is a PhD Chemist who discovered a love of cycling. He enjoys racing time trials, hill climbs, road races and criteriums. During his time at Cycling Weekly, he worked predominantly within the tech team, also utilising his science background to produce insightful fitness articles, before moving to an entirely video-focused role heading up the Cycling Weekly YouTube channel, where his feature-length documentary 'Project 49' was his crowning glory.