Fitting new brake units

Brake units usually last for years without complaint. Generally, the first thing to go will be the cover that protects and contains the spring. Spares for these are not generally available, but without the cover, the spring splays open under pressure rather than snapping the units briskly away from the rim. Replace units with broken spring covers; they cost barely more than a new set of brake blocks, which come supplied with the new units.

There is not as much choice available in cantilever brakes as there used to be once upon a time. There are however still some very goodquality models are still made for cyclocross bikes; for example, Avid Shorties are light, strong and powerful, though some people say they squeal too much. Step 1: Pull the quick-release on your brake unit down and out to release it from the slot on the unit. If the slot in the brake unit has become squashed, use a thin screwdriver to carefully ease the slot apart so that the cable slides out without damage. Step 2: Cut off the cable end, undo the cable clamp bolt and release the cable from the units. Use this opportunity to check the condition of the cable, particularly where…

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