Bicycle Mechanics - I know it's dumb - squeaking brakes

Ok its nothing major but it's a pain how do I stop this loud piercing noise (Well it ain't that bad). I have just changed my brake blocks (Fibrax type blocks) and now have got a squeak when I brake (Dia compe V Brakes) no judder just squeak. I was told a while ago this could be solved by making the rear of the break block touch the rim slightly before the front (rear of break block determined in relation to the rotation of the wheel as if the bike was moving forward). Are there any other tips like this or is it all down to the type of blocks used.

Yes 'toeing in' the brake block as you describe should help - a credit card is about the right thickness - just place it between the very back of the brake block and the rim when tightening the brake. I believe new brake blocks sometimes squeak for a while until worn in a little anyway, and I'm sure some brands squeak more than others. I'm probably going to Koolstops, I found the Fibrax don't offer the same wet weather performance the Koolstops had (no real difference in the dry).

Another tip someone came up with (sorry I can't remember who) was spraying a little hairspray on a cloth, then wiping it on your rim.

Richard

A good day out in gloopy mud (helps to live in Scotland) will bed the blocks into the rims for that 'custom' perfect fit :D.

Seriously tho, that will do the trick....

To "toe-in" your brake blocks, the FRONT should touch first, sometimes the thickness of a credit card is not enough gap for the rear.

The hairspray trick was mine, I learned it in one of the shops I worked in or from a coach or something, it used to be pretty common knowledge. What the hairspray does is cut any grease or oil residue that the rim and/or brake block has picked up from the road or from the mechanics lubricants and solvents.

Ride Quiet
Pat

Some good ideas I'll probably give them a go this evening. Another silly question is if the block has an arrow pointing to the front is this in relation to the rotation of the wheel or the front of the bike. I assumed that it meant the front of the bike although as the post that sticks out of the block is off center and so has a longer bit off rubber facing into the oncoming rotating rim, it is the opposite of the original dia compe's that are fitted to the rear wheel of the bike. hmmm one must be wrong if it makes any difference (I wished I could explain that more clearly).

I've just fitted a new set of XT V-brakes to my bike and *think* thatthe arrows mean the front of the bike. I'm going to have to have my wheel re-trued because of the way they work ! Not like it was in the good old days when you had canti's with a bit of space to play with. And I'll you another thing, when I were a lad... etc etc etc

BTW Dat, Where abouts in Warrington are you ? I did all my off roading at Uni in Scotland and don't know of any local clubs; do you belong to a club ?

Astra,
No I was never into biking all that much, I started to enjoy it because of necessity, I was in between cars (broke) and had to get to work so I started doing the round trip to and from the Trafford centre of 30 miles but that was killing me and the job was crap so I now work in Technical Support (don't laugh working with users I have many a story to tell) in Warrington and at that time was only doing a round trip of 13 miles which was much easier but I've got a car now (Micra Coincidentally, I read your web page) but am not as keen as you are on them as I think when summer comes its going in favour of a a Ducati Monster 600 (motorbike).
Another coincidental point is that I enjoyed a load of mudplugging at Uni but in deepest darkest Wales. A nice ride for you to try is up Winter hill just behind the Reebok stadium in Bolton, It can only be about 15 miles from St Helens??? and there's a super climb up to the radio tower, ignoring the no cycling signs with a worthwhile view and loads of mud and grit tracks leading down the sides and even through to Rivington Barn where there are loads of good foot paths.