brakes
 

So i got my new bike, are road bike brakes alot weaker than mountain bikes or what is it. If i go down a big hill im sure i will crash!!

What kind of bike and what kind/brand of brakes?

Some brakes do work better than others no doublt and in my limited experience MTB brakes do provide more stopping power. Saying that I wouldn't want the same stopping power on my roadbike I'm not a fan of hard brakes. When going downhill put some weight over the rear wheel slowly apply rear brake, then apply front and you should take the required speed off.

No, more than likely not adjusted properly. Make sure rim is true and straight. Make sure the rim is centered between the pads, same distance frome each side of the braking surface. You can tighten the brakes (increase tension) by turning the barrel at the top of the brake caliper. Should be 3 mm form the rim on each side. I believe the thickenss of a penny away. If the rim is not true, it can affect the peformance of the brake system.

Although my stock pads were a little on the weak side. Some low end calipers on my $1000 Lemond. I got myh mone out fo them then replaced with Ultegra brake shoes. I ditched the replaceable pad system since they are $30 for replacement pads. Replace he entire shoe for $10 (Ultegra shoes). Brakes are a bit more effective than the stock pads.:D

I just bought some Kool Stops for $6 each, and supposedly they are one of the best out there. We will see and I should have them on Wednsday.

Kool Stops are nice, especially the salmon color. Rains a lot in Florida and my rain bike has them on it and I have never had an issue stopping. This sounds like an adjustment issue to me.

they are shimano 105's. or does that qualify for the brakes?

I have the 105 brakes on my CAAD9 and I have never had any issues stopping, but then again, it's flat here. Do you have disc on your other bike? That might be why you feel the difference.

A properly adjusted road bike brake will have no problem throwing you right over the handlebars. My bike has a set of cheapo tektros and I have no problem locking them up.

Two things: first, when you squeeze the brakes are you doing so from the hoods or the drops? If you grab from the drops you will have much more leverage and thus more stopping power.

Second, it's a matter of surface area. On a 700x23 the contact patch (area of the tire that is actually touching the ground) is about the size of a dime. This tiny patch of rubber has to stop you vs the comparably much larger surface area of a mountain bike tire that you are used to.

So...you might want to take that bike back to the shop to have the brakes adjusted. It should be a freebie

Those are pretty good brakes and the stock pads should stop you fine, if well adjusted. I had the same problem when I moved to a road bike, some people suggested I rough up the pads with some sandpaper, since the brand new surface is smooth. I didn't do that, but I just kept riding it and cleaning the pads / rim surface once every other week or so. I guess the natural break-in of the pads from use did the job, and I can stop very quickly. I'm also more used to using drop bar levers now.

I had the same problem when I first started riding my road bike, I think it is just a matter of learning to use the brakes properly and were to grab the brake levers.

I really don't feel comfortable unless I can easily skid my rear wheel and lift up my rear wheel if I clamp down on the front brake. My old merlin road bike with throw me off if I'm not careful.

Are your wheels locking? Will they lock if you hold down the levers and try and push the bike? If you got the bike from an LBS I'd bring it back if you don't know how to adjust it yourself or have someone you know to help because stopping is too important to fiddle with :p I have ridden a few bikes with some really poorly adjusted brakes. Actually when I picked up one my bike new disc brake bikes they wouldnt' even stop the wheels when I walked the bike. Sometimes they just miss something or don't tighten things up right when putting these things together.

The canti's on your mtb will be a little stronger.. Changing the pads and keeping your rims clean will improve your stopping power quite a bit.. Salmon Kool Stops are a good choice.. They are a little softer and made for all types of weather..

i am gona take it to the lbs saturday. i think most of it has to do with me not being used to the bike. I did hit the brakes today in the drops and it helped alot. Just gotta get used to it. when i walk the bike the wheels are locked.. it wil just take time

That's because you were able to apply more force, most people can break harder in the drops than on the hoods.

Here we go again.

Road bikes are faster then MTBs, cruisers, comfort, and hybrid bikes.

Road bikes have a smaller contact patch with the road then MTBs, cruisers, comfort, and hybrid bikes, hence less rolling resistance to slow you down.