Bicycle Mechanics - How good should brakes be?

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trmcgeehan
06-30-03, 02:47 AM
Yesterday, I was on my Sunday afternoon ride. I came down a steep hill at about 30 mph. There was an intersection at the bottom of the hill, and I had to stop. About 35 yards from the intersection, I grabbed both (side pull) brakes and pulled hard. The bike barely stopped in time. Is this good, bad, average? I have fairly new brake pads, and about once every six months I use steel wool on the rims and pads. I kind of think my brakes are not set up properly, because recently I test rode a new Trek road bike at my LBS, and the thing would just about stop on a dime. I am thinking the distance between the pads and the rims is too much (more than 1/8"). Is this a factor? The way my bike is now, I would be in big trouble if I really had to panic stop in an emergency. Any ideas? Thanks. (I have a 1985 Ross, that weighs 32 pounds ready to roll. I weigh 190).

NZLcyclist
06-30-03, 03:03 AM
I would take it to the LBS and ask them to have a squizz over it. Brakes are important! if it's a road bike with decent brakes you should be able to lift the rear wheel off the ground, and not bother touching the rear brake. Only try in conditions where there is good traction, unless it is an E-stop!

Brendon
Chris L
06-30-03, 03:04 AM
Personally I would hope they'd stop a bit sooner than that. In saying that, I'd also generally allow a considerably longer time to stop in order that I can do so more comfortably. What if you'd hit an oil patch?

MichaelW
06-30-03, 03:48 AM
Are your brakes the old 1970s style Weinman sidepulls? These are very flexy and weak. I switched mine to Shimano 105 dual pivots (the ones with long reach arms), and the difference is power is significant. Dual pivots compare very well to the cantelevers on my touring bike.
dexmax
06-30-03, 05:22 AM
I have on one of my bikes a shimano 105 sidepull. I use these calipers w/ STI levers.

Yes, the performance is a bit poor as I posted on another thread.. It could hardly stop me.. I can't even purposely skid the rear tire, even on sand/loose ground.. That's how poor the brakes are... the rear brakes at least..

The front brake is relatively stronger, but not as strong as those in my other bikes.. But my rim is new, it might be the ones causing the problems..