Disk brakes rubbing
07-10-06, 11:22 PM
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Disk brakes rubbing
I guess this is a regular question, but I have a slightly different angle on it. Bought a new bike and the rear disk brake rubs - very loud and annoying. I took it back to the shop and they trued the disc - now it doesn't rub at all unless I'm riding the bike. When I'm riding, it's very loud. It's a great bike apart from the intolerable noise.
I guess the frame is flexing. It's a steel frame (Marin Eldridge grade), so more flexible than aluminum, and large, which may increase the flex. The brake is a Hayes So1e - single piston so maybe less gap than double piston? Is the brake compatible with the frame?
Anyway, I'm not sure whether to persevere with the bike or take it back for a refund. If I mess with it too much, they may not take it back. The senior mechanic who trued the disc seemed to know what he was doing - if he couldn't make it work, can I expect to? This is my first disk brake after 30 years of rim brakes.
Thanks.
I guess the frame is flexing. It's a steel frame (Marin Eldridge grade), so more flexible than aluminum, and large, which may increase the flex. The brake is a Hayes So1e - single piston so maybe less gap than double piston? Is the brake compatible with the frame?
Anyway, I'm not sure whether to persevere with the bike or take it back for a refund. If I mess with it too much, they may not take it back. The senior mechanic who trued the disc seemed to know what he was doing - if he couldn't make it work, can I expect to? This is my first disk brake after 30 years of rim brakes.
Thanks.
07-11-06, 09:30 AM
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That is a very nice bike and one of the best deals around in hardtails. I don't think you should give up on it.
I would suggest that you start by trying to adjust the rear brake yourself by spacing the calipers using thin washers or tin shims cut from a coke or beer can. What you need to do is: 1) loosen the caliper's bolts, 2) place the washers, 3) fold a piece of paper and place it between the pad and rotor, 4) while you keep the brake lever pressed adjust the bolts. Try it a few times until you get it right.
If you try the above method several times and you still cannot make the rubbing go away you can buy a set of Avid mechanical brakes and sell your Soles brakes on ebay. You will probably loose close $50/70 by doing this. Avid mechanicals are very easy to center and the distance between the pads and rotors can be easily adjusted to minimize rub. The Eldridge is a great bike so do whatever is necessary to fix the rubbing and keep it.
I would suggest that you start by trying to adjust the rear brake yourself by spacing the calipers using thin washers or tin shims cut from a coke or beer can. What you need to do is: 1) loosen the caliper's bolts, 2) place the washers, 3) fold a piece of paper and place it between the pad and rotor, 4) while you keep the brake lever pressed adjust the bolts. Try it a few times until you get it right.
If you try the above method several times and you still cannot make the rubbing go away you can buy a set of Avid mechanical brakes and sell your Soles brakes on ebay. You will probably loose close $50/70 by doing this. Avid mechanicals are very easy to center and the distance between the pads and rotors can be easily adjusted to minimize rub. The Eldridge is a great bike so do whatever is necessary to fix the rubbing and keep it.
07-11-06, 04:35 PM
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I have a set of Hayes HFX-9. In my case, brand new pads rubbed, regardless of how the calipers were centered. To remedy, I pushed the pistons all the way back into the housing, installed the brake pads, slipped a few business cards or a credit card between the rotor and pads, then squeezed the brake lever. This seemed to set the pad to clearance rotor perfectly.
