Bicycle Brakes Won’t Release? Common Problems And Easy Solutions

Stuck brakes can be really frustrating. What do you do when a brake fails to perform the one job that it is designed for? Wait! There are other solutions than kicking and screaming at your brake because that will certainly not help. 

The most common cause of a brake that won’t release is Brake Cable Tension. It also might be due to the reason that you have Misaligned Brake Calipers or your brake components are Rusted. Hydraulic brakes don’t work because there might be a Brake Fluid Issue or Piston Contamination. Whatever may be the reason, there is a solution for it if it’s not too late. 

Reasons Why Your Brake Is Stuck 

These are the most common reasons why your brake is stuck according to your brake type. I have also mentioned problem indicators so you can easily identify if this is the problem that you need to work on.

Common Brake Problems According To Brake Types

1. Brake Cable Tension 

It is possible that you do not have the required brake table tension. When these cables are not properly adjusted, it can lead to them being stretched. This causes an excess tension on the brake cable which prevents the brake from releasing properly. This is also a common problem.

A common indicator of this problem is a stiff brake lever feel. I also keep an eye out if there is an insufficient brake pad retraction from the rim. This is also an indicator of high brake cable tension. 

Related: How To Easily Adjust Your Bike’s Brakes – Bike Maintenance Tips

2. A Contaminated Brake Pad 

Brake pads are prone to all the dust and debris out there. They can easily accumulate all the dirt, debris, and even the excessive oil that you use. This leads to a loss of grip that the pads have on the rim. You might hear a squealing sound when you use the brakes. This is another cause of reduced brake effectiveness.

3. Over-Used Brake Pad 

The brake pad rubs against the rims which causes friction. With time, this friction can lead to the brake pads wearing down. When this happens your brake performance will reduce leading to a stuck brake. To identify if your brake pad is worn out, you will have to examine the thickness of your pad. This is a common problem you can face on mechanical, disc, and hydraulic disc brakes. 

4. Rotor Contamination 

Like the brake pad, a rotor is also very prone to dust and other particles. These particles can contaminate the rotor which affects the performance. As a result, your brakes will not be able to release properly. If you hear noises while braking, you should check the surface of your rotor. Look for any discoloration or dust that might have accumulated there. 

5. Brake Fluid Problems (Hydraulic Disc Brakes)

Hydraulic brakes use brake fluid for the transfer of pressure to generate the controlling mechanism required for braking. Air can easily infuse in the fluid if you are using worn-out brake pads. Air can also make its way inside the fluid if you have a problem with your calipers or your piston. When this happens, the air bubbles can cause a leak which will affect your braking performance. 

6. Spring Tension 

Cantilever brakes have springs. These springs control the movement of the brokes. If there is any damage to the springs or they are misaligned, your brake performance will be affected. To identify a spring tension problem, you will have to inspect your brake arms. Release the brake lever and see if they return to their open position. 

7. Brake Pad Alignment 

It is possible that the brake pad is not properly aligned. A misaligned brake pad will have uneven contact with the bike rim. This will lead to an improper brake release or your brake might not release at all. Keep a close eye on your rim. When you squeeze your brake lever, one of the pads will rub against the rim, and the other will not. 

Related: Cantilever Brakes Vs V Brakes: Which One Is Better For Your Bike

How To Fix A Brake That Won’t Release 

It’s not very difficult to fix brakes that won’t release but it’s only possible if you have a systematic approach.

1. Adjust Cable Tension 

First, check your cable tension. If it is high adjust the brake cable tension. It is important to have a well-adjusted cable. If it is loose, you will feel that your brakes are sluggish. If the cable is overly tight, your brakes will feel stiff. Use a barrel adjuster or a cable anchor bolt near your caliper to fine-tune the tension.

Related: How To Tighten Bike Brakes – Bike Maintenance Tips

2. Inspect The Brake Pads

The next step is to inspect your brake pads. Brake pads are prone to wear and tear because of the friction caused by the rim’s braking surface. They are also prone to dust and debris. You can know that your brake pads are excessively worn out if the thickness is less than 1-2mm. If see, you have to replace them.

Clean the rim braking surface so that the pads can engage easily. I normally use sandpaper to remove any contaminants that might be sticking there. You can use a cleaner or a mild abrasive. 

3. Fix The Alignment 

If you do not have this issue, you have to check the alignment of your brake arms and the calipers. This often happens when one brake pad is in better contact as compared to the other one. If your brake arms are not in parallel with the braking surface of the rim, you have to adjust the caliper-positioning. 

Lose the mounting bolt and then realign your brake caliper. Once you have realigned it, tighten the bolt so that the position is secured. 

Related: How To Tighten and Align Brakes on Bike – Bike Tips and Tricks

4. Regular Bleeding ( Hydraulic Brakes)

If you have hydraulic brakes, it’s possible that you have issues with the brake fluid. First, inspect the level. If you find that the level is low, it may be because there is a leak. You can bleed your brake system to make sure there are no air bubbles. Be very careful and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. I follow this method because it is very effective: 

5. Cable Lubrication (V-Brakes)

When you lubricate the brake cables, it makes sure that the friction is minimized. It also ensures that your brakes are functioning efficiently. You can use a suitable cable lubricant. I use Tri-flow. It is easily available in many bike shops. Just make sure to shake the bottle nicely before you use it and wipe off if there is any excess. 

6. Adjust The Spring Tension 

Check your spring tension before every ride. In v-brakes, these springs are vital in controlling the movements of the brakes. If it is high or low, you will need to adjust it so you can get the right balance. 

7. Inspect The Components 

V-brakes have small components but they are very critical in achieving effective performance of the brakes. The most important of all is the noodle and the boot. The noodle is that curved metal piece that holds your cable. The rubber boot is located at your brake arms. They are more prone to damage.

Most of the time, there was a problem with my noodle or the boot and I did not really know this in the start. I would spend hours watching videos, trying to know what was wrong with my brake until my friend suggested I inspect the noodle. That’s when I realized where the problem was. I replaced the noodle and my brake was working again. 

8. Clean The Rim Surface (V-Brakes)

If the rim surface is not, your v-brakes will not perform. They require a clean surface for effective functioning. Clean the rim at intervals so that you can have reliable braking. I use surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol) and a rag to clean my rim surface. Take a small spray bottle and spray the spirit onto your rim surface. Spray it on both sides and then gently wipe it with the rag. You can easily find the surgical spirit at pharmacies.

9. Tighten The Bolts And Fasteners

On a V-brake system, you will have bolts and fasteners. Bolts hold together the brake arms, posts, and cable anchor. Tighten these bolts securely. For caliper brakes, cantilever brakes, and disc brakes, there are specific bolts and fasteners that you have to inspect and tighten routinely. These include mounting bolts, different connecting points in the brake system as well as the rotor bolts found on disc brakes. 

10. Take A Test Drive 

If you have fixed the problem with your bike brake. I would recommend to test drive first before heading out for the day. Make sure to test drive in a safe environment. Check that your brake lever is smooth. You should also look at the brake pads. If they are making even contact with the rim when you engage the brake, you’re good to go. 

FAQs

Why won’t my bike brake lever squeeze?

Your brake lever won’t release because you might have an improper cable tension. Another reason for this issue is brake pad wear, poor alignment, contamination, a mechanical issue, or a brake fluid problem for hydraulic brakes. 

Can I use wd40 on seized brakes?

Yes but only using wd40 on seized brakes will not solve your problem. You have to identify the issue and then address it properly to make sure that your brakes work. 

Conclusion 

It can be really frustrating when your brakes make it impossible to adjust the speed according to your riding needs. A dysfunctional brake is a threat to your safety. That’s why you should take out time to properly inspect the issue and address it as soon as possible. 

I recommend inspecting your brakes before every ride. This way you can make sure that your brakes are properly working and avoid any surprises. Did you find a solution to your problem? Let us know in the comment section below! Happy Safe Riding!

Also Read: How To Fix A Dropper Post? Common Problems And Solutions!