Bicycle Mechanics - Why do my brake pads keep glazing?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
b3nsonx
06-16-08, 10:33 AM
After each ride, my brake pads are glazed.
Is this because the pads are old or because the of the rims?

dobber
06-16-08, 10:44 AM
1 - How long have you had the pads?
B - What do you do to them between rides?
3 - What do your rims look like?
b3nsonx
06-16-08, 11:30 AM
1. Ive had the pads for over 10 years.
2. Inbetween the rides, i use sandpaper to clean the pads so it's not glazed.
3. My rims have black streaks that run all the way around.

So is the problem my pads or my rims?
I have new pads waiting to be installed, but im worried that the same thing will happen.

04jtb
06-16-08, 11:31 AM
First thing- clean those rims

edit: also 10 year old pads aren't well known for great braking either
kellyjdrummer
06-16-08, 11:34 AM
1. Ive had the pads for over 10 years.
2. Inbetween the rides, i use sandpaper to clean the pads so it's not glazed.
3. My rims have black streaks that run all the way around.

So is the problem my pads or my rims?
I have new pads waiting to be installed, but im worried that the same thing will happen.

10 years? Replace the pads. :thumb:
b3nsonx
06-16-08, 11:36 AM
Oh yeah, forgot to mention.
The rims also have a slight wobble to them.
Would that also be ruining the pads?
04jtb
06-16-08, 12:10 PM
Im not sure about pads, someone else can say about that

It will weaken the wheel though, either true it yourself or let someone else do it
bkaapcke
06-16-08, 12:58 PM
Simple green and a scotch cloth will make cleaning those rims easy. bk
dobber
06-16-08, 01:26 PM
Sounds like we're being repetitive.

-New pads. Pads harden up over time.
-Clean those rims.

I've used Simple Green, a scratch pad and elbow grease. Make sure you don't get the Green on your new brake pads.
griftereck
06-17-08, 03:19 PM
yeah Ive got a big bucket of old pads.

there scary when I fit those to a bike.
think there for the trash
operator
06-17-08, 06:39 PM
If you're getting new pads. Pickup koolstops. Best pads on the market.
kellyjdrummer
06-17-08, 07:12 PM
If you're getting new pads. Pickup koolstops. Best pads on the market.

+1 Make sure you get black pads. The red ones are the soft ones.
kellyjdrummer
06-17-08, 07:21 PM
P.S. If you are running alloy wheels, which I'm sure you are from the problem you're having, the streaks are because of that. If the pads are ten years old, your wheels are too, right? The braking surface may have worn through any anodized coating or braking surface to the layer below it. So you are now braking on the actual wheel substance.

Try a different set of wheels. Does this happen fore and aft?