Troubleshooting › Brakes
Brake lever pulls all the way to the handlebar: causes and fixes
Stop riding until this is fixed: a lever that reaches the bar may not stop the bike.
- Pads worn or cable slack · Most likely
Cable brakes: turn the barrel adjuster out (counter-clockwise) to take up slack, or re-set the cable at the caliper. If the pads are thin, replace them first.
Fix: Center and adjust mechanical disc brake · Adjust V-brakes · Replace disc brake pads
- Air or a leak in a hydraulic brake · Most likely
Look for oil at the lever, hose ends and caliper. No leak: bleed the brake.
Fix: Fix a spongy or pumping hydraulic brake · Bleed Shimano-style hydraulic brakes
- Snapped cable strands · Sometimes
Look at the cable near the anchor bolt and lever head for broken strands.