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Hi i have just bought an old gary fisher x caliber
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gary-Fisher-20-X-Caliber-Mens-Mountain-Bike-/160566241468
bassically the brakes are not working and was wondering what you guy thought it might be? when you pull the brake levers you get nothing untill they are right in and what you do get is very little. I know that the bike has not been used much and i cant see any fluid leaks anywhere???
try bleeding first of all
plus 1 for bleeding first.
I have these Hayes brakes, 12 yr old and still ok. Without use the pistons can become stuck in the calipers. You need to be able to see movement on each of the pads when you pull the levers and attend to any that are sticking.
If you need to, take out the pads. With something like a tyre lever or screwdriver force the pistons right back into the caliper WITHOUT breaking off the central pad location pin - take care. Clean up as best you can. Apply a VERY small amount of light oil to the caliper bore as oil and brakes do not mix well. Clean it again, refit the pads, pump the levers till the pistons work their way into the correct position. Check that all 4 show some movement.
Other than that, new pads, clean the rotors, or buy and fit new brakes (this requires a unique adapter for the rear though)