No cyclist should neglect maintaining their bike's brakes - they're essential to safe cycling and can help avoid serious injury. If brakes are not set up correctly, or are so worn down as to be almost ineffective, then they should be adjusted or replaced immediately. A few yards less stopping distance can make all the difference - especially in the wet.

The most popular brake on mountain bikes is a relative newcomer. The V-brake offers great stopping power but has slightly different servicing needs to the traditional cantilever systems. Disc brakes also have particular maintenance requirements, while many road bikes are fitted with side-pull brakes. You should identify your brakes and make sure they are set up correctly to get the best performance from them.

1. Start by grabbing your brake leavers- the force needed to lock your brakes should not be great and the action should be smooth. If the brake lever ends up uncomfortably close to the handlebars, then the brakes will need immediate adjustment.
   
   
2. Most brake pads have a wear line to indicate when they should be replaced but you should also check that they are wearing evenly all over. If some of the pad is missing, then the pad will need to be cut with a knife or replaced all together. Make sure there are no deep grooves in either the pad or the wheel rims. These are sign of wear that may require the replacement of both brake pad and wheel rim.
   
   
3. If you need to replace the brake pads, begin by operating the brakes quick release system, this is located at the top of the brake arms. Then undo the nuts securing the pads and swap the old pad for the new one. Make sure the pads are the right way up and are level before tightening the nuts slightly. Pull gently on the brake lever and check that the whole pad hits the rim no more than a couple of millimetres below the top of the rim. Keep tightening up the nuts in degrees, checking the paid alignment constantly until they are secured.
   
   
4. If your pads are in good condition, you may need to increase the tension on your brake cables. V and cantilever brakes have screw attachments on the brake levers, where the cable exits the lever. Screw out the threaded tensioning bolt with your fingertips until the brakes become positive again, then tighten the locking nut back against the brake lever.