Bicycle Mechanics - I know I shouldn't ask, but I absolutely can't get my brakes to stop squeaking

My front brake only. Using kool stop salmon cartridge v-brake pad. I've cleaned the rims, sanded the pads, adjusted the brakes all different ways, adjusted the toe in, switched the front and back brakes (non cartridge), I've let them wear in for over a month, and they're still loud.

Once, I got them to almost stop, but they would squeak when I got to low speeds, and sometimes they stop when its raining, sometimes they keep going in the rain, or they always squeal. I don't know what to do besides try ordinary black pads again.

you running cantilever brakes?

I put a very small amount of talcum powder on mine. It worked.

How's your toe in? See this web site for detailed info about brake noise: http://www.bikeman.com/content/view/704/115/

v brakes.

I'll try the talcum powder...

They're Avid SD-3. Are those too flexy? should I buy stronger brake arms. I think I might need a brake booster too... Because I can see the fork flex when I apply them really hard

v brakes.

I'll try the talcum powder...

They're Avid SD-3. Are those too flexy? should I buy stronger brake arms. I think I might need a brake booster too... Because I can see the fork flex when I apply them really hard

I think the brake booster is worth trying if your fork is visibly flexing during braking. If it's flexing that much, you'll notice an improvement in braking performance with a brake booster. Might stop the squealing, too. Or maybe not.

Try Velo Orange no squeal brake pads. Worked for me.

My front brake only. Using kool stop salmon cartridge v-brake pad. I've cleaned the rims, sanded the pads, adjusted the brakes all different ways, adjusted the toe in, switched the front and back brakes (non cartridge), I've let them wear in for over a month, and they're still loud.

Once, I got them to almost stop, but they would squeak when I got to low speeds, and sometimes they stop when its raining, sometimes they keep going in the rain, or they always squeal. I don't know what to do besides try ordinary black pads again.

What rims do you have, and how new are they? I've had problems with salmon-color pads squealing on new rims. I switched to black pads for a month or so to break in the rim, then went back to salmon. No more squeal.

Try Velo Orange no squeal brake pads. Worked for me.


http://www.velo-orange.com/vosqfrbrshan.html

+1 on the toe in. The front of the pad needs to hit the rim first.

As strange as it may sound, try a dab of carbon assembly compound ("grit paste") on each side of the rim, followed by riding around dragging the brakes to burnish it into the metal. This has stopped the unstoppable squeals in nearly every instance I've tried it.

Why is it always Kool Stops that do this? bk

Why is it always Kool Stops that do this? bk

Because the pads are very soft. Harder brake pads like say some generic drop in refills will not do this at the expense of braking performance. I suggest the OP to try a different refill .

I'm really surprised the salmon pads are squeaking... usually they make a nice grinding sound on your rims - considering they're filled with particles of iron.

it's the particles of road grit that gets packed in them. clean your pads if you care about your rims.

I'm really surprised the salmon pads are squeaking... usually they make a nice grinding sound on your rims - considering they're filled with particles of iron.

One thing about kool stop salmons in my experience with them: they don't make grinding sounds, even in the worst conditions. They're every bit as likely to squeal as any other pad, maybe more, but relatively speaking, they're easy on your rims. No grinding.

Kool stop secret sauce (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakeshoes.html#salmon)

I'm sure road-grit may get stuck in them also, i've have bits of rim stuck in some also... disc brakes here i come!

Kool stop secret sauce (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakeshoes.html#salmon)

I'm sure road-grit may get stuck in them also, i've have bits of rim stuck in some also... disc brakes here i come!

Just wait till those start squealing .

Just wait till those start squealing .

Yeah, squeal doesn't bother me as it comes and goes mostly... but that grinding sound from sand etc... yeck.

Yeah, squeal doesn't bother me as it comes and goes mostly... .

My Avid BB7's squealed every time I pulled the lever until I replaced the stock pads with (drum roll please)......Kool Stop organic pads.:D

My Avid BB7's squealed every time I pulled the lever until I replaced them with (drum roll please)......Kool Stop organic pads.:D

Yeah, ditching the bb7 roundagon rotors for the g2 clean sweep helps also...

Yeah, ditching the bb7 roundagon rotors for the g2 clean sweep helps also...

I have g3 rotors on mine.

wow, those velo orange pads, are cheap, $7 shipped, I'm getting those before trying anything else out

As strange as it may sound, try a dab of carbon assembly compound ("grit paste") on each side of the rim, followed by riding around dragging the brakes to burnish it into the metal. This has stopped the unstoppable squeals in nearly every instance I've tried it.

The "Jobst Brandt" formula for this is Bon Ami cleanser and dish soap. It's cheap and it washes off with water.