new disc install problem
 

My avid bb 7 disc has rubbing as if the rotor were warped. It most likely is not and the caliper is not square. Does anyone have any tips on this? Tahnks

Avid provides simple instructions on aligning the caliper. Get them out and give it another go. Have you verified your rotor is not warped?

A flat rotor cannot rub part of the time. You haven't given much info, but the best thing to do is follow the installation instructions from the beginning. Also make sure that the mounting holes on the hub are completely clean and square. Avid brakes are really easy to set up. A tip before you get dirty: Remove and re-install your wheel first. One of my bikes seems pretty fussy about how the wheel sits. Not that this should make a difference, but it has.

Well, I have followed the instructions for five, count 'em 5 installs. Something is not right. When I spin the wheel, at a certain point in the spin the pads rub on the disc. The fork is new as well. I am able to make the rubbing go away only at the cost of having the brake lever come all the way to the handle. Unacceptable. My LX rear and previous front only required about 1/4 inch pull to lock up the wheel, please tell me vee brakes are not superior to disc, I will just break down and cry. Oh, the rotor is NOT warped, I assume I am not aligning the caliper correctly, it is slightly twisted and causing the disc to rub in certain parts. Help me before I burn my bike.

Have you tried swapping the pads from front to rear? You do understand that if it's not rubbing all the time, there has to be some runout to the rotor? How much rubbing is going on? If it's only a little, and you're satisfied that you've done everything right, there's only one thing left to do. Make sure it's all tightened, and go for a ride. Make it at least a few miles, with 20 or so decent hard stops. Then get back to us.

If the rotor rubs the pad on part of the rotation, then the rotor is warped. Watch it as you spin the wheel and hold a pencil against the chainstay as an indicator. As Expatirate stated, a flat rotor cannot rub part way around.

Try removing the rotor from the hub and set it down on a flat surface like a kitchen table (if it's reasonably flat). Look for a warp.

If you cannot get the rotor to clear the pads without bottoming out the lever, then you have serious warp.

Damn you Raiyn! I hadn't thought of that. Don't forget to tighten each one a bit, then go on to the next. Don't snug each one right down. It should take about 10 times around the disc to get them all tight.

Note: The only truly flat place in your house to test a disc is on a piece of glass. A formica kitchen countertop comes in close 2nd.