Bicycle Mechanics - sanding or grinding sound on new trek 1000 breaks

Hello,

My GF got a new trek 1000 a while ago and everytime she breaks, there is this grinding or sanding sound... We took it to the LBS and they couldnt make the sound go away and ended up saying it was normal. Is it normal? Should I just switch out the breaks?

Change out the pads. This is pretty common with certain pad compounds. I recommend Kool Stop pads for the replacements.

If your bike breaks than you need a new one.

Make sure the brakes are hitting the rims and not the tire sidewalls. There's been some mention of lower end Trek road bikes being shipped with calipers that don't have enough reach. If this is the case, go back to the dealer for new brake calipers, shoud be under warranty.

Pads, and what Steev said.

You could have dirty rims. From my expirence dirty rims/ pads could cause a grinding sound. Also check the pads for little pieces of metal inbedded in them. If there are pieces of metal in the pads, pick them out with a knife.

I have a Trek Navigator as does the wife. My street bike is a Trek Multitrack. All 3 date to 2004. I had to replace a front wheel on the Multitrack. Tried 5 different sets (brands) of brake pads. All peeled aluminum from the Matrix 550 rim.

I recently switched my Navigator over to Cool Stop pads after switching the Multitrack over to them.

When I move the bikes from the yard to the car out front in the morning the brake pads give a bit of a grinding sound for the first few stops and then get quiet. We will make a 30 to 40 run on the Schuylkill River Trail and not hear a sound out of the brakes. Aluminum quickly forms a thin layer of oxide which the brake pads then scrub off in a few stops.

The LBS told me that they no longer use any toe in with brake pads. I found that it is sometimes necessary to use toe in with new pads.

Just take the wheel off and check the pads. there are probably some bits of debris embedded in the rubber. Use a knife point or tiny screwdriver to pry the debris out and all should be fine.

Kool Stop salmon pads are the cure for braking ills of this sort. I'd reccommend cleaning the brake surface of the rims before installing the new pads-

>>everytime she breaks<<

Bumper sticker: Caution, Driver Brakes Like a Little Girl

I was just at the Kool Stop website and I can't tell what would go on the Trek 1000. The Trek brakeset specs says they are Allow dual pivotw/ Sora shifters. Which Kool stops fit the Trek?

The machined sidewalls on the Alex rims left lots of metal debris in the pads of my new Trek. Alex must not do a very good job of cleaning after machining the sidewalls.

I reccomend that you clean the sidewalls thoroughly. Take the wheels off the bie and clean the braking surface using something like a scotch brite pad and soapy water to wash any debris out of the grooves. Then take your pad inserts out and examine them for metal debris. I imagine you will find quite a bit. If you do, replace your pad inserts. This should solve your problem. It solved mine.

While you are at it, check your front caliper. Trek has put some really short reach front calipers on lately and the pads can contact the tire even at the lowest setting in the slot. If you find this, take it back to your dealer and have it addressed before you ruin a tire.

I've had this problem myself, with my 2004 Trek 1000. I'll check out the brake pads and
brake surfaces on the rims regularly
now. I just assumed it was the aluminium anodising rubbing off.

Thanks for the tips!

As others have said, clean the rims. Also try taking off the pads and sanding them with 60 grit paper or a mill bastard file.

Shimano pads are notoriously too hard. Get KoolStops. I use the black ones.

Al

Your brakes are not made by Trek, probably Shimano. Look for a small screw that when loosened will allow you to slide the rubber insert out. Take it to your LBS and find matching KoolStop pads.

Al