Bicycle Mechanics - Road Bike Disc Brake Question

Greeting All,

I'm new to cycling and new to the forum and would appreciate any advice on my brake troubles. I recently purchased a Schwinn Supersport DBX. It's a road bike but it has avid mechanical disc brakes. I bought it mostly for commuting but intend to do a century ride on it in late October. Anyway, I get a lot of drag noise on the front brake unless I tighten the quick release lever to the point that I neet a screwdriver or something to loosen it. I've heard that a little drag/rubbing is normal with a new bike (this one has about 600 miles on it) but I'm wondering if it's ok to torque down the quick release that much or if my brake is mis adjusted.

Thanks,
djdixon1995

Greeting All,

I'm new to cycling and new to the forum and would appreciate any advice on my brake troubles. I recently purchased a Schwinn Supersport DBX. It's a road bike but it has avid mechanical disc brakes. I bought it mostly for commuting but intend to do a century ride on it in late October. Anyway, I get a lot of drag noise on the front brake unless I tighten the quick release lever to the point that I neet a screwdriver or something to loosen it. I've heard that a little drag/rubbing is normal with a new bike (this one has about 600 miles on it) but I'm wondering if it's ok to torque down the quick release that much or if my brake is mis adjusted.

Thanks,
djdixon1995

I have a pair of Ventos on one of my bikes. Very sturdy. They are made with heavy duty components and weigh about 2000 grams for the wheelset. They are certainly not flimsy. I would suggest that they are a great choice for a heavy rider.

I believe your brake is maladjusted. Scope out the owner's manual for adjustment procedure. You shouldn't have to tighten the quick-release beyond normal. I don't know the brand of discs on your Schwinn (Avid?, Shimano?), but it shouldn't drag at all.

Sounds like the Mech Avids are out of adjustment. However, the quick release should not be that tight nor should it really affect the alignment of the disc on the caliper... unless you are a gorilla. Suggest you go to Avid's site and download the adjustment instructions. Or take it back to the shop for a brake adjustment. Meanwhile if you want to play with it, you might wait to check if there is any light (space) between the disc and the pads. If there is light on one side and none on the other, you can back off the pad that is touching by turning the red adjustment wheel a click or 2 at a time. Believe (please do not quote) that there is suppose to be 1/64 (or metric =) gap between pad and disc on either side (one is suppose to be more than the other but I can't remember). play with the red adjustment wheel and the cable tension until there is no rub or it feels good for you. If you have to turn stuff allot, you may need to recenter the calipers. Please check the Avid site for full instructions as I undoubtedly left stuff out and I tune my Avid mech discs by ear and feel :)

oh, there are 2 red wheels, each are for adjusting the pad on that side of the caliper