SECURE BIKE · CHECK PADS · TEST BEFORE RIDING
Adjust
Why Your Brakes Feel Mushy (and How to Fix It)
A soft lever is almost always cable or centring — not the pads.
New pads but a sponge lever? The problem is upstream: cable friction or an off-centre caliper. Two fixes and you're done.
Pro tip
Use the Play button to watch the sequence, or step through with the arrows. Each frame is one real action.Why this works
V-brakes are simple levers. The pad gap, the cable tension, and the toe-in angle are the three things that decide whether your brake is silent, firm, and safe. Get those right and almost every fault disappears.
⚠
Ride-safe reminder. After any brake work, test in a safe area. If the wheel won't stop or the lever reaches the bar, don't ride — re-check the gap and cable, or visit a shop.
Related guides
◧ Wear
How to Check V-Brake Pad Wear (The 30-Second Test)
A 30-second check that tells you exactly when your V-brake pads are done.
4 steps→
◧ Wear
Step-by-Step: Replacing V-Brake Pads
Six illustrated steps to swap V-brake pads with no special tools.
6 steps→
◧ Squeal
How to Stop Brake Squeal (Without Replacing Pads)
Most squeal is contamination or bad toe-in. Fix it in five steps.
5 steps→