(2000) RIG MAINTENANCE ... Alan Dedden As I have looked at many rigs by scrutineering at various events, I thought it might be useful to offer a solution to a perennial problem - brakes. We all know there are few good brakes for rigs and the good ones are either very expensive (discs) or can damage the rims (hydraulic). The standard cantilever type is generally very good, and an improvement over callipers, but both types can be significantly improved if the cables are kept in good order. Many times I have checked brakes which are less than perfect and found that the problem was the inner cables binding in the outer - because they had dried out. It is very easy to overlook this problem and simple to fix. However, don't be fooled into thinking you can solve the problem by putting oil on the exposed length of inner by the lever and working the brake, it will only go in an inch or two at most. The only way to properly oil the cable is to take it off the rig, take the inner out of the cable and run oil through the outer. The inner can then be replaced (with a new inner if the old is worn) and put back on the rig. This procedure is highly advisable even with new complete cables, you will find they are dry when new. The best method I have found for getting the oil through the outer is to hang it up with a small plastic bag secured to the top end of the outer through a cut-off corner of the bag. Oil is then put in the bag and allowed to run through the outer. It is a good idea to put the lower end of the outer in a jar or tray so that the oil does not run onto the floor! You can also see when it has come through the cable. So, if your brakes don't work as well as they should or once used to, try this, you will be pleasantly surprised how much better they are.