Sticking rear brake

[John]

Just replaced all brake and gear cables on Shimano STI and noticed rear brake sticks a little - doesn't fully return once lever released, so that cable along top tube has some slcak in it. I hadn't noticed it before, but...... may be I'm not too observant Have lubed the brake pivots but still not right. Any suggestions?

[Lonewolff]

The brakes on my commuting bike do that fairly regularly during the winter. They are probably full of road muck. I usually spray some degreaser on, wash them under the tap and lube the pivot points with some oil.

[alecstilleyedye]

have you replaced the cable outers as well? it's worth doing those too. i had a problem just as you described, and it required the cable outer to be replaced.

[Ian H]

have you replaced the cable outers as well? it's worth doing those too. i had a problem just as you described, and it required the cable outer to be replaced.

I was going to suggest releasing the cable and checking it slides freely through both the outers. Also that nothing is fouling the calipers (such as a rack).

[TimO]

...and assuming you've looked at all that, you haven't got the outer routed anywhere that puts a sharp bend into it.

[John]

changed outers as well, nothing fouling, but... may have cut the last section of outer a little too long  so theres a bit of a bend in it upwards before going down to brake. May just be crap from the winter so will have to remove and clean and recut the outer - bugger

Thanks for the replies

[gonzo]

Did you re-build the brake?

[TimO]

When you cut the outers, did you make sure that the hole was clear?  Even with proper cable cutters, sometimes a bit of the outer will protrude slightly into the inner, and make the cable rub too much.  I've used a small needle file to make sure that it's totally clean and smooth.