Shimano 105 Caliper Brake Adjustment

[rgcrgc]

How much shoe adjustment can I expect using the adjustment bolt on Shimano caliper brakes? a full brake pad's worth or will I need to retension the cable part-way throught the brake pad's life?

[rustychisel]

You'd probably get mmmm about 4mm worth per side, so not a full pad's width. I'd reckon on retensioning at least once or twice in a cable's life.

Having said that, what is the lifespan of a cable? If it ain't broke I don't fix it, so my Ultegra cables are nearly 6 years old, I have others which must be older.

[rgcrgc]

...I'd reckon on retensioning at least once or twice in a cable's life...

Thanks. However, based on your answer, I'm wondering if I used the wrong term when I said "retensioning". What I meant was (1) slacken the cable at the caliper end; (2) adjust shoe clearance by clamping caliper by hand; (3) resecure cable. Based on the approx 4mm adjustment allowed by the cable adjustment I would expect to have to do that once or twice in the life of the brake pad. Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

...You'd probably get mmmm about 4mm...

Isn't "mmmm" actually 2mm not 4mm

[Matty]

Depending on how tight you like your brakes I'd agree with once or twice for the life of the pad. If you like them tight all the time you might need to do it more often.

Also you may also need to readjust the brake pad shoes too. The shoes swing through an arc and so as they get more worn they will move up higher/lower depending on the side. If your braking track isn't that tall it might start rubbing off the track.

[rgcrgc]

...Also you may also need to readjust the brake pad shoes too...

Gotcha. Thanks.