We got our yellow/orange Nihola around the 1st of May 2012. I don't know how far we've driven it, but it didn't start getting intensive use until the middle of September 2013, when it was fitted with an Olso-appropriate gearing system. Since then, the front brakes have seen serious use most days of the week. I think few Niholas ascend or descend a hill so steep, in their entire service lives, as the hill that ours does each working day. As the weeks passed, it became clear the brakes were getting a lot weaker. Almost certainly, the cause was the cables stretching (but the drum brakes can also wear). So, the question is, how does a person tighten the front brakes on a Nihola?
The brake lever has no adjustment. Down by the wheels, each brake has what appears to be a standard Sturmey-Archer drum brake cable adjustment mechanism, but its hard to access and nearly impossible to adjust. Its also partly covered by a rubber part presumably designed to keep water out, which is itself hard to get out of the way.
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| The cable adjustment mechanism of the left wheel, wedged against a significant piece of metal |
On a normal bike, those would be the only two options. On a Nihola, however, an adjustment can also be made right above where the single cable from the brake lever is split into left and right cables for the brakes. Two 10mm wrenches take care of the problem (although its not as nice looking once the little rubber cap is too high to cover the threads).
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| Center brake cable adjustment on a Nihola, with rubber cap moved well out of the way |
You are not the only enthusiast we are riding a Nihola in hilly and stormy Aberdeen. After four years we have serious problems with the front disk brakes. It seems perhaps due to diet, or wear, the calipers do not release. I don't know what is inside the drums. Is there a spring? Have you run into this problem?
ReplyDeleteYeah there is a spring, certainly. Is the brake arm stuck in place if you disconnect the cable and try to work the arm with your fingers? You may need to apply grease to the arm. Its easy to remove the wheel and inspect the brake mechanism, easier than just about any other brake. Just undo the large bolt and the wheel comes off, and the brake is open to inspect. I have a few other posts on the blog where I mess with the brakes.
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