A basic brake question for the experts!

[bobbyg]

Looking for a little help with something which no doubt the experts on here will find pretty basic!

I have a Specialised Crossroads Hybrid bike and I just cannot get the rear brakes balanced. On closer inspection it would appear that the screw that you use to balance on one side has lost its grip, either the thread is worn or something. Either way when you tighten it and think you have got the spacing correct, a few pulls of the brake lever and the screw is half way out again!

I assume you can't get spares for these parts so will need to buy the full brake kit but the only markings on my existing ones say "TX107" which I can't seem to get with any searches etc.

A quick look on CHainreaction and Wiggle throw up a few suggestions but are all these brakes swappable (is that a word!) or is it specific ones? And if specific, what am I looking at to decide?

I only use the bike pretty much commuting to and from work , would something like this do?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... prod107375 or is there anything to be gained by spending more/less?

As usual, all advice will be much appreciated!

[Erudin]

The Deore brakes are good (better springs and screws than the cheap Tektros I've had) and will do the job. I have them on a couple of bikes.

SJS Cycles have some listed for £10 on Ebay also.

[cyclop]

I,m not an expert,just a long time on/off road biker ,having used most brake designs including,I think,yours which sound like V brakes with the small grub screw used to tension or back off spring tension to even out brake pad to rim clearance.These can be screwed into plastic which,eventually,strips the threads.Replace with any V brake,Shimano,Tektro,spring to mind.They can,t be repaired.

[gerrymcm]

I'm no expert but this has happened to me.
My solution was to try and use only one screw on the decent v brake when this failed I moved the position the V brake with the loose screw on the canti stud.
They often have 3 holes which I guess so you can adjust the tension of that V brake.
This worked for me.

canti.jpg (6.57 KiB) Viewed 613 times

[Brucey]

FWIW I second the above suggestion; I've also done the same thing myself.

cheers