Properly working brakes is very important for the safety of a rider. First you have to loosen your barrel adjuster, after that you make sure your brakes are striking your rim just right, if not you take a piece of card stock and toe in your pads. After that you pinch your brake arms together and tighten your pinch bolt. There is a little set screw you might have to mess with to have your brake pads strike at the same time.