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.

[SadieKate]

Snap, I'm at the hospital all day today with my dad, but you can call me on Tuesday and I'll walk you through it. It's not hard, but it's not that unsimilar to V-brakes. Same concept, but put your hand over the tire, squeeze the two brake pads together down all the way onto the rim, then pull the tab on the cable to get the other tab out of the "hook".

Check the centering when you put it all back together.

[snapdragen]

Thanks all - I'll check it out today. I've called in "sick" and it looks to be a lovely day to fiddle with Bleu.

[jobob]

And don't do what Lee did once, and lose the cable He found it again eventually

[jobob]

Oooh, have a nice day today.

[maillotpois]

Good luck.

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

[SadieKate]

And don't do what Lee did once, and lose the cable He found it again eventually

Wow, the straddle cables are usually bolted down. That must have taken some work.

http://www.icyclesusa.com/catalog/av...ross-brake.htm

[jobob]

This was actually for the centerpull brakes on Waldo - similar concept though. Nope, the cable wasn't Lee-proofed.

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/brakes/15111.html