Cantilever brakes

My new LHT has cantilever brakes, and I noticed when I got it home that there isn't an obvious way to release the brakes so that I can switch/remove the wheels. Is there something that I am missing?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/canti-trad.html

Try going here. This guy knows his stuff. Best of luck!

There should be a way to unhook the straddle wire (the piece that goes from one brake arm to the other). Take a look at each brake arm, and see if there's a groove that the wire slides into, rather than a bolt, on one of the arms.

Or, if you can, post a pic :)

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=28301

This is an old thread about the same thing.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

My new LHT has cantilever brakes, and I noticed when I got it home that there isn't an obvious way to release the brakes so that I can switch/remove the wheels. Is there something that I am missing?

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There are probably lots of different ways, but with the brake levers you have on your LHT, they actually have a quick release button on the lever itself.. it's the little toggle buttons near the top of each one, you just push the button to the other side of the lever, and it gives you some slack in the cable. You may need to squeeze the levers a bit to push the buttons back the other way.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I will look at the Sheldon Brown site, and see if I can find the release that sarahspins mentioned. If I can't figure it out I will supply pictures :p

Is this the quick release for the brakes? It is the closest thing to a toggle that I see anywhere around the brakes. Don't laugh too long at the official highly-technical trainer-mounting assistance device next to the bike. It just masquerades as a bucket when it isn't needed for official duty :D

I've been practicing shifting - and man oh man is this different! The small gears shift much more smoothly than my Trek - I will just have to get comfortable with taking my hands off the bars - I need to do that anyway :o :eek: :D

Yes :) If you notice, the little "recess" for it when you push it to the other side is cut back further than what you see on the side that it's on.. which is what gives you the slack in the cable. As I said earlier though, to push it back and take the slack out you'll probably need to squeeze the lever a little to push it back over into the right place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sarahspins

Yes :) If you notice, the little "recess" for it when you push it to the other side is cut back further than what you see on the side that it's on.. which is what gives you the slack in the cable. As I said earlier though, to push it back and take the slack out you'll probably need to squeeze the lever a little to push it back over into the right place.

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Cool - I thought this had to be it!

I am SO looking forward to my first real ride this weekend! The trainer doesn't count. I've noticed that with Stella, my Trek, she doesn't even feel like the same bike on the trainer than off it. The trainer is a basic one that someone was generous to let me use for a time :)