Brakes
What is a Rim Brake (Caliper / V-Brake)?
The older-style brake that squeezes pads directly onto the wheel rim.
Simplified schematic — not to scale.
In plain English
Rather than a separate disc, a rim brake clamps its pads straight onto the sidewall of the wheel rim to slow you down — common on road and older bikes.
A simple analogy
“It's the simplest version of the idea: skip the disc, brake on the wheel itself.”
How it works
A cable pulls two arms together, pressing rubber pads against both sides of the spinning rim. Less hardware than disc brakes, but performance drops in the wet.
Signs of trouble
- ⚠Reduced stopping power in rain
- ⚠Pads rubbing unevenly on the rim
- ⚠Visible wear groove worn into the rim itself
Rough UK cost
£15 – £60 for the caliper, £10-£20 for pads
Always get a written quote. Prices vary by bike, region and parts brand.
Heads up: Bikeautonomy is for general guidance only. If your bike is behaving oddly or you're not confident, get it looked at by a qualified bike mechanic.