Howling disk brakes: What else to try?
#26
Senior Member


Joined: Mar 2016
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Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone, 2023 Surly Disk Trucker
That's exactly right! It makes me wonder if (maybe) they don't want to fix it because they sell more rotors and pads because:
[Bike mechanic]: "Yessir, these pads are contaminated and need to be replaced".
[Customer]: "But they're only a year old and I don't ride much".
[Bike mechanic]: "Yessir, these pads are contaminated and need to be replaced".
[Customer]: "But they're only a year old and I don't ride much".
#27
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
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From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Sometimes alcohol, flame and sanding will do the trick and sometimes it won't.
#28
Senior Member




Joined: Apr 2019
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From: UK
my bike rotors very rarely squeal.
#29
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I suspect there are trade offs that lead to the problem. I notice that people like their disc brakes. I've tested them but haven't had them on a bike of my own yet, and I'm not craving them. Is the tendency to squeal a price worth paying for brakes that work better than rim brakes?
I'm reminded of Click and Clack, the hilarious guys on the car maintenance radio call-in program. They used to say:
Thoughts?
I'm reminded of Click and Clack, the hilarious guys on the car maintenance radio call-in program. They used to say:
Europeans don't care if their brakes squeak, as long as they stop. American's don't care if their brakes stop, as long as they don't squeak.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#30
Senior Member




Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 1,511
From: UK
Well, I have used my disc brakes to very good effect a number of times - once a horse rider said to her friend “wow, they’ve got good brakes” as we rounded a corner on a descent, at maybe 40kph, spotted them heading our way and slowed to a near stop (sans squealing) inside 10-15 metres. They are just so much better than rim brakes.
I don’t like squealing but as above, rarely get any - maybe a bit when it rains.
I’m European if that helps the stats ;-)
I don’t like squealing but as above, rarely get any - maybe a bit when it rains.
I’m European if that helps the stats ;-)




