AKRX

I have hydraulic disc brakes, specifically, the Avid Juicy 3's. The right lever, the one leading to the rear brake, is softer, and can be pushed in deeper than the left lever. A friend tells me he thinks it's because of a longer cable, giving the fluid more room to compress. I'd like a second opinion, though. What could be causing this? Is there air in my brakes?

And does anyone know how much Avid brake pads cost? I'd like to get a replacement set to have t my disposal. In the event, for example, of getting lube on my discs during a day of downhill.

MudPie

The Avid brand pads are $19 at Pricepoint: https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/153...cy-%26-BB7.htm.


If your brakes feel soft or spongy, then you probably have air in your lines, and need to bleed them.

If the levers travel further, but still feel solid when they finally grab, you might need to adjust the lever travel.

The increased length of brake line between the rear and front does not affect lever feel.

AKRX

Thanks.

Could someone help me out in adjusting lever travel, then? This is the first time I've had hydraulic brakes.

Rev.Chuck

The increased housing length can make the rear feel softer(It can also do this with a cable brake) There is some give in the stock tubing, the more housing length, the more give.
The first thing to do is make sure the caliper is square and centered to the rotor. Then make sure it is bled properly.

zephyr16

uh, fluid, or liquids in general, do not compress. so the increased length of you rear cable wouldnt have any effect, as long as it is a decent housing. but rear brakes, disc or v, that use cables will suffer from a spongier feel than front ones.

im pretty sure your discs have a travel adjustment on the levers, the higher end juicys do.

Rev.Chuck

Rght, the fluid does not compress. But the housing can expand, and the greater the length of housing the more it can affect the feel. Juicy 3s have a lever position adjustment but do not have the lever travel adjustment.

Wordbiker

I'm with Rev on this one.

Although in theory hydraulic fluid does not compress, a longer hydraulic line can expand more, just as a longer length of cable housing can compress more than a shorter one. Also, a larger volume of fluid can contain more air bubbles, therefore giving more compression. This is why Avid recommends outgassing the fluid before bleeding their systems: The fluid contains air. The rear brake may have a softer feel, but in most cases, almost imperceptibly so unless you're looking specifically for it.

Crestwooddan

The increased length will have an effect. The tube between the brake master cylinder and the piston will accept more fluid as you squeeze the brake lever and the tube "inflates". With everything else being equal, a longer tube will accept more fluid as it inflates (the volume change is greater). This "inflation" is part of the brake lever sponginess.
HOWEVER, the contribution of this inflation to the overall sponginess is probably insignificant, but may be detectable. So, if there is no air in the system, and everything else is properly adjusted, the rear brake lever may be a bit squishier than the front, and its OK. You need to decide how much squishiness is too much.