J-McKech
03-24-04, 12:50 PM
My front brakes are making a horrible noise. Its really high pitched squealing noise. Sounds like a pig, but it still does brake good. I just got the bike on saturday, it this part of the break in process?
Mountain Biking - Brakes making horrible noise
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stapfam
03-24-04, 01:38 PM
My front brakes are making a horrible noise. Its really high pitched squealing noise. Sounds like a pig, but it still does brake good. I just got the bike on saturday, it this part of the break in process?
Could be, but the probable reason is that the pads are not Toeing in. Whats that? When you apply the brakes, the front of the pad should touch the rim before the back of the pad. Easy to adjust as when you set the pads up, just put a thick piece of card at the back of the pads as you set them up. Another reason is that you may have shimano pads fitted. Supposedly noted for sqealing, but I still find that they are the best braking effect pad to use. Another reason is that the rims may be too clean so run through a few muddy puddles. At least you won,t have to but a bell, but I always find them useless for most pedestrians in any case.
Could be, but the probable reason is that the pads are not Toeing in. Whats that? When you apply the brakes, the front of the pad should touch the rim before the back of the pad. Easy to adjust as when you set the pads up, just put a thick piece of card at the back of the pads as you set them up. Another reason is that you may have shimano pads fitted. Supposedly noted for sqealing, but I still find that they are the best braking effect pad to use. Another reason is that the rims may be too clean so run through a few muddy puddles. At least you won,t have to but a bell, but I always find them useless for most pedestrians in any case.
iamlucky13
03-24-04, 07:09 PM
Disc or V-brakes?
MikeOK
03-24-04, 07:51 PM
If disc, pour alcohol on them (to clean) then go down a long steep hill and hold the brake as long as you can to really heat it up and seat the pads. If V's you need to adjust your toe-in. Do a search and find an explanation it's fairly easy.
bigchina
03-24-04, 09:27 PM
do they squeal when you arejust riding/pushing (no brake applied) or as soon as you hit the brakes. if they are squealing with no brake appiled, then your pads are probably rubbing a little and just need readjusted. if they squeal when you hit the brakes, try the alcohol/steep hill treatment.
Guest
03-24-04, 09:39 PM
I remember this one from class! Dood said that when the brakes aren't toed correctly, they will squeal. When the back of the pads apply pressure to the rim before the front of the brakes (should be the opposite), then it causes the brakes to squeal. Brakes should look like someone who walks pigeontoed- the front should be pointed towards the rim and the back part should flare out a bit. Try readjusting your brake pads and see what happens.
Koffee
Koffee
Guest
03-24-04, 09:40 PM
One more thing... dood said this sometimes happens with new bikes because the bike shops don't take a lot of time to put the brake pads on properly.
Koffee
Koffee
J-McKech
03-25-04, 12:06 AM
I stopped by the bike shop today to pick up a few things and he said if i bring it in on saturday he'd fix it up no problem, but thanks guys!
Hunter
03-25-04, 08:15 AM
There are many other variables to this as well. Your choice of brake pad can cause this, as well as the rim itself. years ago I was putting together Trek 820's with shimaNo canti brakes that no matter what adjustment you made they squealed. A call to Trek confirmed this when the said it was the rim and sent new wheels. Also glazing on your pads will cause this. Shaimano pads I have noticed will do this more than others.
Typically switching to Kool Stop pads will end this problem. However cleaning your pads and rims helps alot.
Typically switching to Kool Stop pads will end this problem. However cleaning your pads and rims helps alot.