Poor V-brakes

99nsr125

I have a poor rear brake

When I pull the lever it feels soft spongy

I like the old school no slack, short pull and then locked up wheel.

I don't see any huge amount of slack

What could it be and

What is a good method for setting up brakes to make them powerful and responsive

Thank you

cletus

99nsr125 wrote: »

I have a poor rear brake

When I pull the lever it feels soft spongy

I like the old school no slack, short pull and then locked up wheel.

I don't see any huge amount of slack

What could it be and

What is a good method for setting up brakes to make them powerful and responsive

Thank you

Have you tried shortening the cable? You probably wouldn't see a huge amount of slack

Type 17

Was the rear brake always spongier than the front, or has it developed recently?
On many bikes, the rear v-brake always feels spongier than the front, due to the seat-stays of the frame flexing more than the fork blades.

Setting the pads to meet the rim square-on will make the brakes feel firmer, but there’s a risk of squeal when you do that.

Hamsterchops

Sounds like you need new cable (which stretches with age) + New brake blocks too, as the rubber gets hard with age and looses grip on the wheel rims!

Bingo, your bike will stop like a new bike