Mountain Biking - Improvements, and I need help

Got some new pedals, there sweet, got a new seat, a bont something it is comfy, also got a CATEYE speedometer, heavy duty kind for mtn and xc biking, but i need help with thes calipers, should I scrub them with palmolive and water? they don't stop all that fast... it is a diamondback coil, promax brakes and I hear they aren't the best. also my back rim is bent... could that effect the bracking? I'm concerned because i've joined the race team and these brakes aren't stopping all that well, should I get some larger pads? how much would they be? and thanks for the info on the pedals I got the ones that were silver and black um.. can you guys tell me an inexpensive caliper brake pad that you recomend? I need something that is better with more stopping power I have ten dollars but I don't want anything too pricey for example 30 dollars no higher than 30, there is a really good bike shop in newark delaware called bike line, and my dad knows the owner! Isn't that awesome? well, thanks for any replys they will be very useful. I'm just really starting to get into mountain biking after 2 years and i need some brakes thanks guys.

You should get a job, and buy some half decent brakes. Promax arent gunna stop ya fast either way....you might be able to get new pads, doubt it though...and theyd cost about as much as a decent brake.

I recommend eagle Kool Stop 2 pads for your brakes. THey work like wonders on all the bikes I've owned so far. Also, I highly suggest the use of paragraphs and capitalization. I'm not trying to be a dick here, but I found your post above very difficult to absorb.

Ming

Hayes MX2 XC mechanical disc, they're 45$ at bikesmart.com. Not quite sure if they're good, haven't tried them myself. But it's a Hayes... I wouldn't worry about your bent rim, it won't affect a disc brake. Hmm, maybe you should invest a little more and get the MX1 XC for 60$. If stopping power is what you really want, consider a front 8" rotor. It may be unusual to see an 8" rotor on a xc bike, but hey; it's going to stop you.

Only mechanical disc brakes I would recommend are Avid's. Their pricier than Hayes/Promax/Tektro at $90 a wheel(This is just the normal asking price, you can probably find them much cheaper) but they will work MUCH better.


Ok, well I just read the rest of your post... $30 huh? You aren't going to be getting any disc brakes for that much money, any decent ones anyway.

You can either:

A) Get a job like DjRider04 said and get a nice pair of Avid mechs or some hydro discs.

or

B) Get to the lbs/ebay and try to find some used v-brakes. I liked the Avid SD7's when I had them and I would recommend those to you for a good, solid pair of brakes. I don't know if you can find a pair for ~$30 though. Atleast you can buy one and put it on the front, the front is 65% of your braking anyway.

I'm only 13 years old. Anyway, Its a Diamondback and I don't think disc brakes will fit I just ment some new pads not a whole new brake please help, they shouldn't too expensive right? just pads to fit on a caliper.

Wait it has discs or rim brakes? If they are rim brakes I would still get new ones but replacing the pads would probably boost performance quit a bit.

They are rim brakes

I second the Eagle Kool-stop 2 pads. Also look into upgrading your brake cables and housings.