Well, this is embarassing.

[snapdragen]

I just realized I have no idea if I need to release anything on my new brakes, in order to remove the wheel. This could cause a problem should I get a flat.

They are Shimano cantis - and I am clueless.

Off to scour some of my bike books....

[Fredwina]

Snap, do you have V- brakes or regular cantis? You need to undo the cable between the halves. On V's, their is little stamped metal part you undo.

[snapdragen]

They're regular cantis. I used to have v-brakes.

[Fredwina]

They should be a wire between the two halves, Squeeze them together to get slack, and there should a cam (i think on the right) that you pull out of the arm to undo the brake
Where's DebW when we need her? I was going to post some pics of my Friday, but it has Vs

[KnottedYet]

Have you found the release yet? I could post pics of mine, different brand but probably the same idea.

When I picked up Flossie after the shop reassembled her, I had to go BACK and ask them to show me the quick release, cuz I couldn't figure it out to load her into my car.

The center wire that connects the two arms has one end (on mine, the left) that is firmly attached, and the other end (right) has a round barrel-shaped stopper on the end. When I squeeze the arms toward each other, and get some slack in the center wire, I can pull the barrel-stopper out of the right arm.

[snapdragen]

I think I understand - I'll check it out tomorrow when I'm fiddling with the handlebars.

snap "has three weeks 'tll Wine Country" dragen

[DebW]

Where's DebW when we need her?

The center wire that connects the two arms has one end (on mine, the left) that is firmly attached, and the other end (right) has a round barrel-shaped stopper on the end. When I squeeze the arms toward each other, and get some slack in the center wire, I can pull the barrel-stopper out of the right arm.

My apologies for not being here (but I do need to sleep). KnottedYet is exactly right. But Snap, if you're ever stuck and can't get the brake open, you can always let air out of the tire until it fits through the brake.

[maillotpois]

Good luck.

I had nothing productive to offer before, so I kept quiet.