v-brake squealing. I've tried everything!
11-29-05, 08:35 PM
#1
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v-brake squealing. I've tried everything!
I just installed some koolstop brake pads on the front of my new surly LHT. The rims are rhynolites and breaks are avid sigle digit five. I toed in the brake pads, cleaned the rims with windex, even sanded the rim surface a little. The problem is they are still squealing. It's not deafening, but it just bugs the hell out of me. I love it when my bike is in perfect working order but I can't stand it when it isn't. Anyone have any advice on how to fix this problem?
11-29-05, 11:57 PM
#2
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I'm familiar with the brake/rim squeal deals. Seen others bikes do that and recently dealt with it myself. I recently got some new Mavic 221 rims and my Avid Rim Wrangler pads squealed on them until the rims got some wear in the sidewalls. The machined braking surface wore down a little on the rims and everything quietened up.
With brakes I've never been one to do the toe in deal. I like the flat contact of pad to rim. Seems a more precise braking movement....
With brakes I've never been one to do the toe in deal. I like the flat contact of pad to rim. Seems a more precise braking movement....
11-30-05, 12:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Czar of Dirt
With brakes I've never been one to do the toe in deal. I like the flat contact of pad to rim. Seems a more precise braking movement....
Toeing actually allows the torque of the wheel to pull the pad flat against the rim resulting in a much more effective use of the pad.
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11-30-05, 04:23 AM
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Unfortunately, if your brakes are of poor quality, as mine turned out to be, such a moderate toeing doesn't help one bit. Not until my brake pads had a 15-degree angle out, did the squealing become tolerable. After a few weeks, it quieted down considerably, but after an adjustment for a new wheel recently, they're back to their squealing selves, at least temporarily.
As it is now, only the front third of my pads are worn, because of the toeing.
As it is now, only the front third of my pads are worn, because of the toeing.
11-30-05, 04:09 PM
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I'm no mechanic, so I don't have adjusting expertise to offer, just an experience. I have a moutain bike that came with Shimano XT linear pull brakes. Not long into owning my new sweet steed the front brake started squalling...first in moist conditions, then all the time. The bike shop mechanics went nuts adjusting, and trying different brands of pads. Shimano was contacted and they said certain rim, fork, brake combos just squeal. So I switched to an Avid Arch Rival. That was three years ago and no squealing from the Avid.
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11-30-05, 05:32 PM
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In my case, the left brake arm seems to have a slight play in its mounting. The right one is rock solid, but the left can be tilted backwards and forwards slightly. Most likely the cause of the squeal.
11-30-05, 05:33 PM
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Just an FYI - Avid does NOT recommend toeing-in their rim brakes. (Raiyn's picture shows pads that have the mounting stud in the middle of the pad - and usually benefit from toe-in. Many new pads have the mounting stud offset, and do not require toe-in.)
From Avid's FAQ on their website:
"Q.How should my pads be adjusted?
A.We do not recommend that you toe in your brake pads at all. When setting up your pads, we recommend you put a rubber band around both arms and loosen the pad nut. Set the pads one at a time so they are braking flat and even onto the rim. Remove the band and adjust your cable."
From Avid's FAQ on their website:
"Q.How should my pads be adjusted?
A.We do not recommend that you toe in your brake pads at all. When setting up your pads, we recommend you put a rubber band around both arms and loosen the pad nut. Set the pads one at a time so they are braking flat and even onto the rim. Remove the band and adjust your cable."
