pillar

Hello,

I had my year old trek 4300 disk tuned up the other day (came with installation of new tire+tube) at my LBS. Everything seemed fine until today when i rode my bike through some wet concrete. Now there is some concrete stuck in the tire (got some out by spinning the tire really fast).

Also, now my disk brakes seem tighter, so that the front one jams up if i spin the tire slowly. Also, the back tire makes a weird clicking noise when I hit the brakes.

Please let me know how to fix this. I would prefer to fix it myself if possible.

Al1943

So who's going to fix the concrete?

pillar

Hopefully the construction workers there. They didn't have a sign up, so I don't feel too bad about riding through it. There is a lot of new cement in my city this time of year, and the newly dry stuff looks just like the wet stuff.

norwood

If I rode through wet concrete my first reaction would be to find a water hose fast and get things flushed out.

turtlewoman

why would you ride through wet concrete? That sounds like something your parents should have taught you about. Were you raised with monkeys?

c_m_shooter

If you let it dry, it's too late.

pillar

I had no idea it was wet, like I said there is a lot of fresh concrete around here this time of year. I got it out of the tires, and I had a closer look at the brakes. There doesn't seem to be anything in there, they just look too tight. That makes sense, as I don't see how concrete could magically fly up into my brakes. Weird that it happened at the same time though.

nivekdodge

Nope , I'm sorry, huh-uh. You cannot explain away riding through wet concrete with any success. Beleivably enough water pressure will take it off the tires and hard parts of the bike.

You should have admitted it by saying "while not paying attention I rode through wet concrete"

intx13

Sure you can. Wet concrete and freshly-dry concrete are indistinguishable to the eye. This is why they put signs up. Unless you expect him to dismount at every fresh road and test it with his finger before continuing, I think the fault lies with the construction crew.

As for damage to the concrete: it probably took a few minutes to smooth over. It could have cost the construction company a lot of money in hospital bills had he been injured; unmarked construction zones are a liability.

Al1943

Only if someone alerts a concerned member of the construction crew. And what if they've gone home for the day?
It should have been marked though.

tatfiend 

I would expect some of the concrete got between the pads and the disc. Try removing the pads and cleaning the surfaces then reinstalling. Make sure the same pad goes back in the original position. While the pads are out closely inspect the calipers for any visible concrete spatter and clean as necessary.

pillar

Thank you for the backup intx13. It was a very long stretch of concrete, and i think there were signs at each end, but the dirt trail that I was on crossed the center.

I looked over the bike, and it looks like when i had it tuned up they didn't tighten the bolts holding the brake pad assembly enough, as it had pulled to one side and was rubbing the disk. I had a good look at it, got out my tools and now all is well.

Thanks for your help.

pillar

I was wrong, the problem is still there. I fixed the issue in the front, but the back one still seems to scrape when riding, but only when i put most of my weight on the rear tire or hit the brakes. Does this make sense to anyone?

Also, there is one part of the disk that has a deep scratch in it, as if there is a small stone stuck in the pad. I have never taken the pad out before but would love to learn. Does anyone know of a good guide?

sch

Go to the website for the manufacturer of the brake and you will somewhere find Tech Data or Installation
pdf which you can look at and download. www.parktool.com has a Repair button which goes to a
reasonably extensive repair guide for all things bike.
Try some cleaning stuff meant to remove lime from toilets, sinks tubs and showers... Check the label
for details and get some long sleeved neoprene gloves to use them. Careful with the paint. The disk
is impervious to acids. If there is an elevated part to the disk at the scratch this will need to be dealt
with.

pillar

This keeps getting weirder. I took it for a ride today after leaving it for a couple days (trip out of town) and now it is perfect. No noise when riding or when braking.

urbanknight

No signs? You should have gone back and photographed it, then demanded the company pay for whatever needs to be replaced or repaired.

rumrunn6

I agree that this requires a complete disassembly of the non working unit, and may require some parts to be replaced. bad luck ...

s5s

I didn't read the previous posts but I'll give you my 2 cents. You will remove it easily from smooth metal surfaces. Use a cloth and water or even just dry cloth. You don't need to remove it from the tyres - it will come of when you ride and they stretch. Just make sure you remove it from the rims and the brakes because if there is some on the brakepads when you brake it will eat off your rim. You need to do some cleaning. I don't think it was your fault to go through the wet cement and the workers should have put a sign or something (where do you live?) but I DO think you made a big mistake by not stopping and cleaning it immediately. It would just have been a simple 1 minute wash with water.