Mountain Biking - Getting tired of the constant tweaking of the avid brakes!

With the change in the weather, comes a difference in where the disk hits on the pads, it drives me nuts. Also, the rear brake sqeeks every time I brake. The other day put me over the top, the rear was rubbing, got off and adjusted, rolled the tire, found that one part was fine, but when the bottom roll came to the top, the disk was hitting the pad. So the only option for no rubbing was a very soft brake lever,(letting out the pads on each side) full stopping power comes when the lever is all the way to the grip. I love the braking power, but the warping/rubbing and the loud braking in the rear sucks!

I dont have any of those problems... I did at first when they sold me crappy pads, but they replaced them for free and my problems were solved. Soundsl ike you've got a warped rotor.

YUP... I mentioned that in a few posts about avids..but a few said I was on crack and I didn't set em up right.... But they were setup perfect! Avids are pretty good for light XC...but anything harder than that go with hydros

:crash:

I agree with Jim311. I had the same problem with my Avids. When I flipped the bike upside down and rotated wheel at speed I could see a the disc wobbling. When I replaced the disc it ended the problem. The only time my brakes squeal is the first couple of times I brake when there is a lot of moisture in the air.

I'm into my third year with mine and have rarely touched them. With the original pads when I went through water they would squeak for a couple revolutions the first time I applied them, but with the new pads they don't even do that. You've got to have some other problem with them as stated earlier. Are you sure that the wheel is seated all the way in the dropouts? If you remove your wheel be sure that it is seated the same every time.

Originally posted by slcpunk21
...snip...But they were setup perfect! ....snip..l. Obviously not

My front doesn't drag whatsoever, but my rear does since the rotor is warped. But I really don't give a damn either way... so long as I stop when I need to :o

I hardly ever have to touch mine, and they work great. The rotors did warp at first but I straightened them with a crescent wrench and a shop towel.

Gary

thats funny, I never have problems with the front either - and I can usually dial in some good brake resistance in the lever. Dont get me wrong, I love the power of the avids, but the sqeaking and the possible warp is frustrating. I did post in the past that I get some bike cleaning solvent on the rear pads, but I cleaned the pads, and I thought that would have burned off after 300 miles since? Ill take it in to Eriks Bikes (where I purchased it 4 months ago) and have them at least address the noise, maybe the warping of the rotor. I thought I read some post that warping goes away after enough braking/heat applied to the rotor..

I've had mine for a couple of months now. My *front* squealed for a while, but that's gone now. They also "ring" some due to slight pad hitting, and i've had problems getting the levers adjusted because of that. I hope the slight warping does goes away (as suggested), but otherwise i'll try to flatten them out.

I guess this kind of thing is to be expected when you buy a bike that's been sitting in a shop for a while. I've got scratches all over that I didn't notice before buying. I guess through demo'ing the bikes, little things happen. Hopefully after getting it all cleaned up, these Avids will work well for a long time.

I think that's just the nature of rotors. I mean... think about it. You've got this thin slice of metal that's exposed to alot of force and a lot of heat.. of course it's going to warp. I doubt there's anybody who rides hard enough to justify disc brakes that has straight rotors :D

I don't ever have to adjust my Hayes, but occasionally check the "True" of my rotors. I "adjust" them with the end of an old wrench, by prying the blades that go to the braking surface, as opposed to clenching onto the braking surface. I just do a little at a time starting with the worst spot.

L8R

Has anyone tried bigger rotors? Maybe it dissipates the heat slightly better as to not cause warping.

Originally posted by esophagus6
Has anyone tried bigger rotors? Maybe it dissipates the heat slightly better as to not cause warping.

8 inches is easy to warp...6 inches is less likely to warp...either way I prefer a little rub on a rotor to not being able to use my brakes if I blow out a spoke while using rim brakes...I actually don't think warping is caused by the heat...at least not in my case.

Originally posted by esophagus6
Has anyone tried bigger rotors?

Not sure if this photo link will work...

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/mtbr/gallery/pictures/futurebike.jpg

:eek:

Hot damn...look at that rim...betcha that thing doesn't ever get hot :D

Geez, I'll bet that's a really inexpensive setup. :rolleyes:

*raising hand*
ok, is that classed as a rim brake?

Originally posted by Scooby Snax
*raising hand*
ok, is that classed as a rim brake?


Smart ass ;)

Sweet.. a friend of mine has a street bike (motorcycle) with discs kinda like that.. it's a Buell.

Hey, anyone remember Pro Class Wheels from your younger BMX days? You know, the ones with the holes drilled out between the spokes. That rear wheel reminds me of those!

L8R