Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Brake Squeal

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zsilver
04-29-09, 10:38 AM
I just picked up a 2009 Felt Brougham (http://www.feltbicycles.com/09-catalog/urban-alternative/fixie-series/09-brougham.aspx). The front brake squeals unreasonably.

I cleaned and wiped down my front rim, I sanded my pads, I adjusted the pads so they contact the rim symmetrically, the front brake continues to squeal unreasonably.

The brake: Tektro Dual Pivot Caliber Brakes with P452 Pads

The rim: A Felt Aluminum 30mm deep V-section Aero Rim powder coated in white without a machined braking surface.

Please help!

carleton
04-29-09, 10:58 AM
This is the wrong forum. Real Track bikes are not allowed to have brakes. Post in the Mechanics forum.
zsilver
04-29-09, 11:46 AM
Thanks for the help.

Six jours
05-01-09, 10:10 PM
You don't want "symmetrical" you want "toe in" ie. the front part of the pad contacts the rim slightly before the rear. If your pads/brake arms are adjustable, you can achieve this by loosening the pads, slipping a couple of business cards between the rear of the pads and the rim, squeezing the brake lever, and tightening the bolt. If they are not adjustable, you bend the arms slightly with a monkey wrench.

Paint/powdercoat on rims, BTW, is stupid. It will cause lousy braking until it wears off, at which point it will just look like hell. And for all I know, it could be responsible for the squeal, too. Unless fashion trumps function in your book, you should ditch it.
Pista Largo
05-04-09, 08:16 AM
brakes? What are these brakes of which you speak?