Bicycle Mechanics - Disk Brake *break-in* questions

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beyondallcom
12-08-01, 05:50 PM
Hello,

I have been having all types of strange noises coming from my disc brakes(Avid Mech.), and i was told to correctly *break-in* the pads.... how exactly do I go about doing this? do i be gentle to them or should i ride down a hill and use them hard?
Thanks,
Kevin

KleinMp99
12-08-01, 05:59 PM
hold the brakes and pedal around or ride down a steep hill and hold your brakes. That should break them in
beyondallcom
12-08-01, 06:51 PM
Is it normail to squel/scream the whole time you break it in? :-/..... lol

thanks,

Kevin

Chris L
12-08-01, 08:37 PM
My brakes do that all the time too. They also do it after I clean my bike (due to stuff dripping on the rims from the chain). I hardly notice it at all anymore.
beyondallcom
12-08-01, 08:49 PM
Its very annoying biking down the streets and turning heads, wondering what that noise!?!?!?!... oh i forgot :) this is Potomac, MD no one here rides bikes, and if you do people must think ur strange or poor... not! (its just no one here knows bikes cost over $200)

Thanks,
Kevin
KleinMp99
12-08-01, 09:44 PM
i thought I saw beyondallcom on the zone, and i guess I have before.....do you play games on the zone????
KleinMp99
12-08-01, 09:49 PM
hey Chris, thanks for your input but did u see that we are talking about disc brakes? lol....just thought i'd let u know in case u didnt see that.
beyondallcom
12-09-01, 07:06 AM
I signed up on the zone, but rarely play.... the last time i played a computer game was 2 years ago :-) ehhehee.. strange me..

- Kevin
KleinMp99
12-09-01, 08:00 AM
ok :)
Dirtgrinder
12-09-01, 08:58 AM
Are these totally new brakes or just replacement pads? Just wondering if maybe they were setup wrong in the first place, or something to do with the pads. I've got Avid's and they have never made a sound except after going through water, and then just for a couple rotations.
beyondallcom
12-09-01, 02:22 PM
New replacement pads, seems to me that when i'm gentle to them they scream at me and i try cleaning thema nd they groan at me so i guess i'll have to keep trying... but its not cheap replacing the pads... (25 a pair)

Thanks,
Kevin
Dirtgrinder
12-09-01, 03:47 PM
I wonder about polishing the rotors. Like with fine emery paper. I know on car brakes when you replace the pads if you don't turn the rotors they squeak. You might try leaving a note to Avid on their site and ask them. DG
Campag Fetish Boy
12-09-01, 04:51 PM
The best thing to do for bedding in Disc Brakes is to take a short ride with the brakes setup to rub the disk, take a few bottles of water with you and pour water over the caliper and disk. Repeat this a few times and hey presto! problem solved.

This is from the horses mouth so to speak, ie One of the blokes who runs Hope.
honbymike
03-26-02, 09:25 PM
Hello all I've got new xtr shimano disk brakes and they squeal REAL loud. I took them back to supergo in St. Monica CA they told me that the factory pads wern't very good . They said I should light sand the rotor and up grade the pads
Astra
03-27-02, 03:57 AM
I'm with Campagfetishboy on this one. The best way to bed rim brakes in (thankyou Klein, good to know your sarcasm gland is in top shape :) ) is to keep 'em wet for a while, it allows the friction by-products and maybe some muck in the water to shape the blocks to the correct shape; sort of like grinding valves in with grinding paste .

HTH.