Thinking of Spookys for my Sqealing Kona Jake?

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Wil

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jeremyb

I just got a 2004 Kona Jake, with Avid Shorty 4s on a Kona Project 2 fork with MAvic CXP 22 rims, and they (especially the front!) SQUEAL and CHATTER. I've tried different pad compounds: Red, yellow, blue, Kool Stops, Jag-wire, Avid Rim Wrangler, even ceramic pads! I installed a brake booster: SQUEAL and CHATTER remain!! :mad:

After reading the forums here I've found out that Avids are notorious for that. I'm thinking of different calipers. Any suggestions? I'd like to find a set that can accept V-Brake pads (I have many! See above) But as long as they have smooth powerful braking, I'll use ANYTHING!

I've heard many good things about Spookys...

I'm no expert, but i didnt think that Spookys were V brake pad compatible (I assume you mean threaded post vs a non-threaded post?). I know the Paul brakes are though.

heres the spooky website: http://www.spooky-brakes.nl/spooky_index_eng.htm

I'm using the empella Froggleggs and havent had too many problems with them at this point.
My girlfriend's cross bike came with the avids and she had her bike professionally assembled and she hasnt had any problems with them and absolutely zero squeal.

jeremyb

CycloF175

Have the 2004 JTS. No squealing on either set of rims with the Avids. LBS had them setup with a fair amount of toe in. Kept it that way when I re-adjusted brakes between rim changes. I'd like a little more juice out of them in some conditions. But liveable.

Wil

Thanks for the replies! I'm so glad that you guys are so willing to impart some of your experiences.

What pads are you running on your JTS? Are they the stock pads that came with the bike? The stock pads that came on my Jake had nowhere enough power (Especially after just coming off a MTB with V-Brakes, with KoolStop pads), so they never had the opportunity to squeal or chatter. I've tried toe-in, and reverse toe. The reverse toeing seems to work best (as in they squeal and chatter LESS) but at the expense of raw power. My LBS eliminated any play in the calipers to try and fix the squeal... but it's still there.

Are the Empella Frogglegs difficult to adjust? How would you characterise the power, and feel of the Frogglegs. How do they compare to your girlfriend's Avids? What kind of pads is she using?

It's just that I've poured so much $$$ into this problem already (brake pads, and brake booster) I'd hate to make a bad decision in brake calipers, as they aren't quite as cheap as pads.

late

Hi,
you could also pick up a pair of used Shimano cantis
to replace the Avids. No squeal and better whoah...

velocipedio

yep... i have an old pair of lx cantis, no problems, great braking.

Wil

I just found that Shimano has a new cantilever brake for 2004: Shimano Cantilever Brake BR-R550

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Cantilever+Brake+BR-R550&vendorCode=SHIM&major=2&minor=7

Has anyone tried them, or heard anything about them?

CycloF175

Yeah...stock pads but my rims are different. My JTS came with MA3's, got Salsa Cross 36H for more strength. The Salsa's have a grooved braking surface fwiw. Will eventually have MA3's rebuilt for pavement, use Salsa for trails. These brakes were an adjustment for me too after mtb V-brakes...waaay less stopping power. But now I'm fine with em. Just got done charging around with Gator 28's on. This bike continues to amaze me with the different things it'll do.

tbobby

Mine squeal only when the braking surfaces are dirty or wet. A quick clean with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol eliminates the noise.

jeremyb

Well, difficult to adjust....I'm a roadie, I know how to adjust caliper pads quick. It takes me a long time to set up the Froggleggs. Especially getting the toe in set right and each pad evenly hitting the rim. But again, im not a pro mech.

I'll check my gfs bike tonite when she gets home from work (she rode her bike to work today) to see what the pads are, but theyre going to be whatever comes stock on a K2 Enemy 2003 bike.

jeremyb

Wil

I just got the new Shimano Cantis (BR-R550) and the difference is chalk and cheese!!
The fork chatter has been completely elimintated, squeal is minimal (it'll only squeak under the hardest of braking situations; stoppies). I haven't toed the pads in yet. But I don't really plan to, because the squeak is barely noticeable.

On top of it all, they are MUCH more powerful than the Avids EVER were, even without a Brake Booster!

I have (functional) brakes, again!!

weremichael

Will,

Glad to hear that you too like the BR-R550s. I switched from a pair of Avid Shorties about two months ago and it was night and day. I don't feel like an idiot on my commute anymore and more importantly I want to race this winter.

Michael

ZenNMotion

Try some inexpensive, tried and true LX Cantis. And Kool Stop salmon colored brake pads are famous for being the best. Standard, boring, yep. But they both work every time.

BlastRadius

Red Ritchey pads are awesome combined with LX/XT/STX cantis. No squeal whatsoever.
I just bought a set of salmon Kool Stop Eagle 2s for my other bike so good to hear they work just as well.

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