Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Brake caliper install

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Brake caliper install

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-22-26 | 10:13 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 5
Brake caliper install

I’ve been mounting brake calipers are they were stuck and not turning. I found the rotor(avid) was running into the caliper. I was able to get the brakes working without rubbing by using 2 lockwashers(5mm) between the brake caliber and the adapter. Is this safe to run any washer on this brake shimano mt200? If that is ok, flat washer would be better right? If that is unsafe what options do I have, change rotor, adapter?
I’ve been mounting brake calipers are they were stuck and not turning. I found the rotor(avid) was running into the caliper. I was able to get the brakes working without rubbing by using 2 lockwashers(5mm) between the brake caliber and the adapter. Is this safe to run any washer on this brake shimano mt200? If that is ok, flat washer would be better right? If that is unsafe what options do I have, change rotor, adapter?
mbe820 is offline  
Reply
Old 02-22-26 | 01:45 PM
  #2  
maddog34's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,344
Likes: 3,207
From: NW Oregon

Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike

i use non-lock washers for shimming the caliper away from rubbing on the discs, and also to move the pads away from contacting the disc spiders when engaged.....
maddog34 is offline  
Reply
Old 02-23-26 | 08:20 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 1,455
From: UK
Rotor with a more consistent diameter?
choddo is offline  
Reply
Old 02-23-26 | 08:30 AM
  #4  
'02 nrs's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,378
Likes: 4,840
From: se MIch.

Bikes: 1938 claud butler,1983 Basso,teledyne titan,teocali super,nrs,1993 stumpjumper fsr,Paramountain,Paramount Buell(sold),4 banger,Zaskar LE,Colnago Master Ibex MTB,1987ish,.etc....

bolt rubbing/

if your talking about 1 washer per hole between the adapter & caliper then you may have a 165mm rotor on a 160mm adapter.

Last edited by '02 nrs; 02-23-26 at 10:20 AM.
'02 nrs is offline  
Reply
Old 02-23-26 | 09:55 AM
  #5  
grumpus's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,821
Likes: 1,759
Originally Posted by '02 nrs
the washers there will not move the caliper anywhere.if they stopped any rubbing then the bolts may be too long and making contact with the rotor.
Placing extra washers between the caliper and adapter moves the caliper away from the axle slightly, which will help if you have a wavey rotor that is topping out on the caliper.
grumpus is online now  
Reply
Old 02-23-26 | 01:52 PM
  #6  
maddog34's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,344
Likes: 3,207
From: NW Oregon

Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike

those are Basic Avid rotors, and are not "too big".
the wavy circumference is to reduce squealing.
i have never seen a "165mm" rotor for bicycles, EVER.
there are 140, 160, 180, and 200mm rotors available, and i've seen a couple 203mm rotors too.... and there are some overkill 223mm rotors out there too...
the biggest things i see with caliper mounting errors are getting the adapter mounted in the correct orientation, and trying to use the wrong mount, entirely.

sidenote: RIM brakes on bikes are actually Really Large diameter DISC brakes.

Last edited by maddog34; 02-23-26 at 02:16 PM.
maddog34 is offline  
Reply
Old 02-23-26 | 05:09 PM
  #7  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 5
Hmm

I bought the brakes rotors and IS adapter as a kit from eBay, like $50. I have the IS adapters installed with top pointing up. I checked and the front is on the front and rear is on the rear. Maybe cheap IS adapter is the issue?
mbe820 is offline  
Reply
Old 02-23-26 | 06:51 PM
  #8  
maddog34's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,344
Likes: 3,207
From: NW Oregon

Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike

Originally Posted by mbe820
I bought the brakes rotors and IS adapter as a kit from eBay, like $50. I have the IS adapters installed with top pointing up. I checked and the front is on the front and rear is on the rear. Maybe cheap IS adapter is the issue?
maybe.. or you just need a couple washers in the right places....
i always look for some clearance between the outer edge of the disc and the caliper slot where the pads are... i had brand new shimanos touching the shimano discs just two weeks ago.. a bit of fiddling got them in place and lined up.. meh... it's part of the job at hand,, IMO.
the bike frames/forks also vary a bit... "Manufacturing slop"
maddog34 is offline  
Reply
Old 02-23-26 | 07:51 PM
  #9  
'02 nrs's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,378
Likes: 4,840
From: se MIch.

Bikes: 1938 claud butler,1983 Basso,teledyne titan,teocali super,nrs,1993 stumpjumper fsr,Paramountain,Paramount Buell(sold),4 banger,Zaskar LE,Colnago Master Ibex MTB,1987ish,.etc....

Originally Posted by maddog34
those are Basic Avid rotors, and are not "too big".
the wavy circumference is to reduce squealing.
i have never seen a "165mm" rotor for bicycles, EVER.
.



Last edited by '02 nrs; 02-23-26 at 07:56 PM.
'02 nrs is offline  
Reply
Old 02-24-26 | 05:37 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 1,455
From: UK
They stopped making those a long time ago I think?
choddo is offline  
Reply
Old 02-24-26 | 09:01 AM
  #11  
AndreyT's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 692
Likes: 125
From: CA
Originally Posted by maddog34
sidenote: RIM brakes on bikes are actually Really Large diameter DISC brakes.
Not really. One of the defining properties of disc brakes is that the rotor is mounted directly to the wheel hub. Disc brakes apply the braking force (torque) to the hub. And then it is transferred through the spokes to the contact area on the outer circumference of the wheel.

Kinematics of rim brakes is significantly different.

AndreyT is offline  
Reply
Old 02-24-26 | 01:25 PM
  #12  
maddog34's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,344
Likes: 3,207
From: NW Oregon

Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike

Originally Posted by AndreyT
Not really. One of the defining properties of disc brakes is that the rotor is mounted directly to the wheel hub. Disc brakes apply the braking force (torque) to the hub. And then it is transferred through the spokes to the contact area on the outer circumference of the wheel.

Kinematics of rim brakes is significantly different.
yes, the rim brake more directly applies stopping force to the tire and road surface, and reverses the braking load on the spokes.

they're still a larger disc brake.

Last edited by maddog34; 02-24-26 at 01:29 PM.
maddog34 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-08-26 | 04:23 AM
  #13  
Full Member
 
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 214
Likes: 111
From: Australia
And here are some "rim disc" brakes .


redshift1 is offline  
Reply
Old 03-09-26 | 12:24 AM
  #14  
Ron Damon's Avatar
Senior Member
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 1,250
From: The Ring of Fire, the Global South, Asia-Pacific, the Tropics...

Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts or hype jobs

A 160mm Shimano rotor is all of $10. Stop d!ck!ng around.
Ron Damon is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.