Brakes that squeal, rub or pull all the way to the bar need adjusting. Here's the fix for rim brakes. Disc brakes work differently.
Difficulty: Moderate. Plan on 20 min.
Safety: If the cable is frayed or the pads are worn to the line, replace them before riding.
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If the cable is frayed or the pads are worn to the line, replace them before riding.
Squeeze the lever. If it pulls close to the bar, turn the barrel adjuster at the lever or brake counterclockwise to take up cable slack.
If you run out of adjuster, loosen the cable anchor bolt, pull a little cable through, and retighten.
Check that each pad hits the rim squarely, not the tire. Loosen the pad bolt to reposition it if needed.
Spin the wheel to make sure nothing rubs, then test the brakes before riding.
Nice work. A new fix shows up every day, and the Fix Ladder has step-by-step guides for common home repairs.