What is the Name of This Bike Part?

[easysurfer]

What is the name of this bike part? It is the part that screws next to the brake lever and adjusts the brake cable?

Funny thing is I ordered one sometime back but can't recall what it is called and don't see a purchase in my Amazon or ebay purchase histories.

Thanks.

p.s. See photos of part itself and also connected.

 

[Freedom56]

looks like a cable barrel adjuster.

 

[easysurfer]

Never mind. Found answer. Brake cable barrel adjuster .

 

[easysurfer]

looks like a cable barrel adjuster.

Thanks. You beat me to the answer .

 

[RobbieB]

Barrel Cable Adjuster

 

[easysurfer]

Barrel Cable Adjuster

Thanks. Don't what what size I have and what size fits my bicycle. The originals broke from over tightening. The ones I have now, I can barely turn by finger tightening. I have a folding Dahon bicycle.

 

[orangehairfella]

Any bike shop should have a bin and be able to find you one that fits. Worst comes to worst, brake lever are $5-10 brand new and only take a few minutes to fit assuming the grips come off fairly easily.

 

[easysurfer]

Any bike shop should have a bin and be able to find you one that fits. Worst comes to worst, brake lever are $5-10 brand new and only take a few minutes to fit assuming the grips come off fairly easily.

I got the brake cables set up now with the proper tension. But with the barrel adjusters, I can't turn them with my fingers. Either I have really weak fingers or maybe a size is off.

Good tip about bike shop.

 

[ronin]

Dumb question, but have loosened the lock nut before trying to turn the barrel?

 

[easysurfer]

Dumb question, but have loosened the lock nut before trying to turn the barrel?

Yes, I have. The lock nut loosens easily. But the barrel doesn't turn by finger. That's how I've messed the barrel up in the past. Brake cables are fine but then eventually get loose so I end up using pliers to adjust the barrels and that messes them up.

 

[OldShooter]

Get the right sized tap, lube it up good, and use it to carefully clean the female threads on the fitting that the barrel screws into. Particularly if both are aluminum, galling and corrosion can make your life miserable.

Depending on the female threads, you may need both a plug tap and a bottoming tap. You can buy bottoming taps but most of us just grind the tapered end off a plug tap. Be careful not to overheat when grinding.

 

[easysurfer]

Yeah, think I got too large a barrel adjuster. Looking at the picture on my original post, see how the barrel covers part of the cable housing? Don't think the barrel is supposed to do that.

Oh well, not going to worry about too much since as of this moment, the cable tension is fine. But next time around when they get loose, will fight the war then .

 

[Avalon]

Maybe try squeezing the top of the caliper while adjusting barrel. This puts the pads against the wheel and should put slack in the cable. That would relieve the spring tension you're working against.

 

[Scrapr]

Thanks. You beat me to the answer .

us West coasters never had a chance

 

[easysurfer]

Maybe try squeezing the top of the caliper while adjusting barrel. This puts the pads against the wheel and should put slack in the cable. That would relieve the spring tension you're working against.

Yes, from I've seen videos of setting the brakes by having the pads touching the rim. Then fine tune by adjusting the barrel. But when I try, the barrel really doesn't turn so I must be missing something.

 

[Avalon]

Yes, from I've seen videos of setting the brakes by having the pads touching the rim. Then fine tune by adjusting the barrel. But when I try, the barrel really doesn't turn so I must be missing something.

I don't believe you're missing anything. Those aluminum threads get stretched and fussy to work with over time.
One of my bikes is an older hybrid with likely a similar set up. I've gotten to where I don't even mess with the barrel adjusters on that bike. I just loosen the cable pinch bolt (down at the caliper), squeeze the pads in until they're almost touching the rim, then tighten the pinch bolt. Inserting a business cared (or similar) between the pads and rim when you do it this way will get you pretty close. It may take a couple of tries to get the amount of pull feeling just right.

Edit to add a quick question: If you loosen the pinch bolt at the caliper (so that the brake cable goes completely slack), does the barrel adjuster turn more freely?

 

[latexman]

Another dumb question, you turning it the correct way? Looks like "Lefty loosey, righty tighty" to me.

 

[sengsational]

That is a barrel adjuster for a retired person's bike.

 

[easysurfer]

I don't believe you're missing anything. Those aluminum threads get stretched and fussy to work with over time.
One of my bikes is an older hybrid with likely a similar set up. I've gotten to where I don't even mess with the barrel adjusters on that bike. I just loosen the cable pinch bolt (down at the caliper), squeeze the pads in until they're almost touching the rim, then tighten the pinch bolt. Inserting a business cared (or similar) between the pads and rim when you do it this way will get you pretty close. It may take a couple of tries to get the amount of pull feeling just right.

Edit to add a quick question: If you loosen the pinch bolt at the caliper (so that the brake cable goes completely slack), does the barrel adjuster turn more freely?

That's what I end up doing. End up not fussing with the barrel adjusters (since I can't properly turn them) and just adjust positioning the pinch bolt and squeezing the pads like you mentioned.

I haven't tried seeing if the barrel adjuster turns more freely when pinch bolt loosened.

My plan A is to use my set up (brake cables are set to proper tension at the moment) until they become loose. Then at that point, go with plan B is to see if I have any better luck with an in-line set up.

 

[easysurfer]

Another dumb question, you turning it the correct way? Looks like "Lefty loosey, righty tighty" to me.

Trying to turn the correct way. The issue is getting to turn without having to force using pliers.

 

[easysurfer]

That is a barrel adjuster for a retired person's bike.

They sure do look handy to use though, according to youtube .

 

[easysurfer]

I don't believe you're missing anything. Those aluminum threads get stretched and fussy to work with over time.
One of my bikes is an older hybrid with likely a similar set up. I've gotten to where I don't even mess with the barrel adjusters on that bike. I just loosen the cable pinch bolt (down at the caliper), squeeze the pads in until they're almost touching the rim, then tighten the pinch bolt. Inserting a business cared (or similar) between the pads and rim when you do it this way will get you pretty close. It may take a couple of tries to get the amount of pull feeling just right.

Edit to add a quick question: If you loosen the pinch bolt at the caliper (so that the brake cable goes completely slack), does the barrel adjuster turn more freely?

I like that idea of a business card or something similar. May have to try that next time when adjusting.