How to Adjust Promax Bike Brakes

Hand on bicycle handlebars

The brakes on your bike allow you to come to a stop without waiting for friction to slow you down, or putting your feet on the ground. Unfortunately this seemingly simple task is taken on by a combination of different parts of the bike which, over time, will go out of adjustment, requiring work to be done to get them back in working order. If your Pro-Max brakes are out of adjustment, or otherwise not stopping you as well as they should, take the time to re-adjust them at home, to make your ride as stress-free and safe as possible.

Put down the kickstand on your bicycle. If you have one, a designated workstand will make brake adjustment a quicker and easier process.

Loosen the cable stop of the front brake using a 4 millimeter hex wrench. Turn the barrel adjuster on the side of the left brake lever clockwise until it stops against the brake lever housing.

Use a pair of needle-nose pliers or similar to pull the brake cable taught in the front brake cable stop. The brake should close just slightly, but not completely against the rim. Tighten the cable stop using a 4 millimeter hex wrench and test the brake lever for a nice, stiff, quickly actuated brake. If the brake is too loose, turn the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise to tighten the cable increments at a time.

Loosen the cable stop on the rear brake with a 4 millimeter hex wrench. Turn the barrel adjuster on the rear brake lever clockwise until it stops against the brake lever housing.

Pull the brake cable taught in the rear brake cable stop with your needle-nose pliers. The brake should close slightly. Tighten the cable stop using a 4 millimeter hex wrench and test the brake lever for stiffness and actuation. If the brake is too loose, turn the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise to tighten the cable in small increments.

Take the bike out for a test ride. While riding, test each brake individually and make adjustments to the barrel adjusters if necessary.