Joefireline

Hi, I have a Saracen Awol (2005 edition), I have had it for just over a year now.
The brakes are IQ disc (not hydrulic). When I brake, it doesn't give me all the braking power I should get, because the bar that is pulled to another bar to pull the pads to the disc, runs out of space, between the two bars, if that makes any sense? There is a adjustment on the brake, which I twist out, and that seamed to make the system work better, for a while, now I have run out of that adjustment.
Is there any other adjustments I could make? And is there any online places that sell IQ disc brake pads? I can't find any anywhere, not even on ebay, they just sell pads for systems like shamino.
I am not that cleaver with bike, well I am only 14!
I would be greatful for any suggestions,
thanks
Joseph

Evilbee

I'm not famaliar with IQ brakes at all, but there should be a allen bolt at the caliper (Brake) end, that you can loosen and pull a bit more cable through to tension the whole system up a bit. If you're unsure, take it down to your local bikeshop and get them to do it, and ask if you can watch. It'll probably only take a minute or two.
If you need new brake pads you might need to upgrade, I can't find anywhere online that sells IQ pads, and I've never seen them in a shop. If you're lucky the shop where you bought it might stock them, or they might be identical to another brand (very unlikely), you never know.

Evilbee

Just to add; check chain reaction cycles website (I assume you're British if you've got a saracen), they've got a pretty broad range of pads, though I don't see an IQ one.

Joefireline

This would not work, as this would just tighten it, it is not that is isn't tight, as it is quite tight, but the 2 bars pulling together has reached its limit, here is a very badly done picture...

Evilbee

You could try realigning the caliper, if the brake pads aren't the problem. Your brake might have a dial or something to adjust the position of the brake pads relative to the rotor. This might not work on your brakes, but with hydros you just loosen the mounting (post) bolts a little, hold the brake down and retighten for minor alignment adjustments. If its not that I reckon it's new pads, which could mean new brakes (but take it to the bikeshop first, they'll know a lot more than me).

Joefireline

Hi,
I asked a bike shop about the problem, and the told me about 2 adjustments on the side of the brakes, you just tighten them, and it makes the pads go in closer to the disc. You just need a alankey!