Bicycle Mechanics - Avid BB5's

Hi Guys, all help and tips are appreciated.

I recently bought a Specialized Hardrock Comp Disk which came with Avid BB5 Disk brakes, they worked fine for a couple of weeks, but now when they feel locked if I jerk or move (such as hopping a log) my front rotor will slip while being clamped really hard in the brake pads.

Has any one figured out the best way to service these brakes or best way to have them set up?

I dont want suggestions such as "buy Avid Juicey's", Im broke after buying new forks etc, i am planning on getting Magura's in a couple of months but untill then...Help!!!:(

Hi Guys, all help and tips are appreciated.

I recently bought a Specialized Hardrock Comp Disk which came with Avid BB5 Disk brakes, they worked fine for a couple of weeks, but now when they feel locked if I jerk or move (such as hopping a log) my front rotor will slip while being clamped really hard in the brake pads.

Has any one figured out the best way to service these brakes or best way to have them set up?

I dont want suggestions such as "buy Avid Juicey's", Im broke after buying new forks etc, i am planning on getting Magura's in a couple of months but untill then...Help!!!:(

Hi Robbie,

I have Avid BB5s on my Hardrock that I upgraded from Tektro. I find the Avids much better than those Tektros.

I'm thinking your troubles might be one of the following:
1) Need new brake pads. Makes sense if you use the front brake more (as you should)
2) Rotor is contaminated with something - oil, grease, wax, etc try cleaning it. *MY* LBS states to use soap and water or isopropyl alcohol. Many people on this forum state that ONLY denatured alcohol is to be used on rotors to clean them. Do not use any sort of automotive rotor cleaner.

As for setting them up - did you get a manual with your Avids on how to adjust and replace pads? If not, take a look at the SRAM site for there Avid BB5 manual. - http://www.sram.com/en/service/

Good luck.
Digger

Thanks digger, I think maybe I got a small bit of WD 40 on my pads, any ideas how to clean pads?
The breaks are set up and alighned properly, so I cant think of anything else.

Thanks digger, I think maybe I got a small bit of WD 40 on my pads, any ideas how to clean pads?
The breaks are set up and alighned properly, so I cant think of anything else.

AH! WD40 will certainly cause the trouble. Your pads MAY now be useless, but try removeing your pads and sanding them with some emery paper or sandpaper. Do a good job of sanding.

Since your pads are contaminated, your rotors are certainly contaminated also, so you'll have to clean those as well.

See if that improves performance. If not, you'll have to buy new pads.

Last night I replaced my old shimano deore caliper with an Avid bb5 on my rear. It stops amazingly better. so much so, that I locked up my rear wheel while descending down a steep hill in the rain. Almost went down - time for wet season tires I guess :(

I wipe down my rotors with rubbing alcohol every couple weeks, more often in wet weather. Also, I found running a baby wipe in between the pads is an effective way of cleaning the pad surfaces.

Thanks guys, Ive cleaned my rotors, with nail varnish remover, and its helped, think ill try sanding the pads tonight, I hope I dont need new pads already, their brand new.

You need to get any WD-40 out of the pads. Before you go sanding the pads, try using alcohol or the nail polish remover (acetone) to clean them. After you clean the pads, clean the rotor again before you reinstall the wheel so you know everything is clean.