Sluggish rear brake - HELP!
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sluggish rear brake - HELP!
I am putting together a frankestein and i cant get the rear side pull caliper brake to work at all..
I realize the rear brake is only about 20% of the stopping power, but on this bike it is barley noticeable.
I can depress the brake lever as hard as possible and the rear wheel still moves with little resistance.
I started replacing parts one by one with no luck. New pads, new cable, new housing, newish brake levers, fresh lube inside the housing, and a like new caliper.
Granted i am using the old school type of housing, with no plastic coating inside, as well as a steel rim. But I can't believe that these are enough to cause this much of a problem.
Any help would be appreciated, this is driving me nuts!
Thanks!
-MC
I realize the rear brake is only about 20% of the stopping power, but on this bike it is barley noticeable.
I can depress the brake lever as hard as possible and the rear wheel still moves with little resistance.
I started replacing parts one by one with no luck. New pads, new cable, new housing, newish brake levers, fresh lube inside the housing, and a like new caliper.
Granted i am using the old school type of housing, with no plastic coating inside, as well as a steel rim. But I can't believe that these are enough to cause this much of a problem.
Any help would be appreciated, this is driving me nuts!
Thanks!
-MC
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
steel rims really suck as braking surface.
photos will help
photos will help
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh.. and i also tried two different routing styles.. its a ladies frame.
along the top tube and up the seat post
and
along the top tube and swung up to the brake.. like on a mixte.
The second was a bit better. but not much at all.
along the top tube and up the seat post
and
along the top tube and swung up to the brake.. like on a mixte.
The second was a bit better. but not much at all.
#5
Real Men Ride Ordinaries
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,723
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
If it is a mixte, mount the brakes on the middle set of stays, you get a much cleaner routing that way.
otherwise, I'd replace the wheel first, steel rims just barely work under the best of circumstances.
otherwise, I'd replace the wheel first, steel rims just barely work under the best of circumstances.
#6
Senior Member
I suspect cable-friction. Take the entire cable-assembly apart and grease the inner cable. I prefer a mix of graphite mixed in with white lithium grease. Over time as the grease dries out, the graphite still provides residual lubrication.
Also be careful of all cable-stops and cable-housing ends. They should be tight fitting and fit straight with no angles or else the housing will rub on the cable.
Steel rims are awful. There are Kool-Stop pads made for chrome-plated steel rims, but they're only a minor improvement. Cheaper to replace the wheel with one using an aluminium rim.
Also be careful of all cable-stops and cable-housing ends. They should be tight fitting and fit straight with no angles or else the housing will rub on the cable.
Steel rims are awful. There are Kool-Stop pads made for chrome-plated steel rims, but they're only a minor improvement. Cheaper to replace the wheel with one using an aluminium rim.
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
I tried doing this on an old Continental many years ago, and it was a failure. If you know the frame configuration of a Schwinn Continental, it's a straight shot along the top tube to just under the saddle from the right lever. No extreme bends at all, but yet, it was really hard to get the rear brake to work, even after gallons of Tri-Flow. YMMV, but I doubt it. get a length of inner sleeve housing, re-cut the housing and grab a new cable just in case you get a frayed end.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
flik9999
Bicycle Mechanics
6
02-23-18 10:52 AM
idoru2005
Bicycle Mechanics
16
02-02-12 07:07 PM