Bicycle Mechanics - Installing disc brakes

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creacha
02-12-08, 02:39 AM
Hi, I assembled my first disc brake bike at work today. got both brakes dialled quite nicely, but the guy who was helping me could only give me a vague answer to this question: when installing a disc brake, should the 'fixed' pad be...


screwed all the way in
screwed all the way out
bang in the middle to allow adjustment either way
left alone and adjusting left up to the mounting bolts


ok, so he gave me the last answer which isn't totally vague. Intuition told me to go all the way in then pull out 1/2 turn or so. Now thinking bang in the middle is the way :D

Cheers

Svr
02-12-08, 04:27 AM
What brand of disc brake? Did you read the instructions? Most have very specific method for adjusting the fixed pad position.


when installing a disc brake, should the 'fixed' pad be...

screwed all the way in
screwed all the way out
bang in the middle to allow adjustment either way
left alone and adjusting left up to the mounting bolts



If we're talking about Avid BB7 brakes, - none of the above.
creacha
02-12-08, 05:39 AM
They were shimano cable pull type. Yeah, I read the manual and it was clearly marked how to adjust the fixed pad, just nothing about fixed pad starting position. wondering how others went about installing them.
guess I can't give anyone a hard time about vague speech :D
Will keep in mind that many models are different, and to always start with the service manual.

maddmaxx
02-12-08, 06:04 AM
Position the fixed pad per the instructions with the understanding that the rotor needs to be far enough toward the moveable pad on new pads so that it will not strike the caliper as the fixed pad wears down.

Avid for one is pretty clear that the initial position of the fixed pad will place the rotor about 1/3 of the gap in from the moveable pad. This leaves 2/3rds of the gap for wear.