Screeching front brake
10-08-08, 11:00 PM
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Screeching front brake
I recently bought a cross bike to save my road bike from the rigors of a Chicago winter. All well and good, but the front brake makes a screeching sound every time I use it. Any ideas on what might be causing it?
The brakes are Avid Shorty 4 Canti brakes. I have checked the wheel rim and the brake pad and nothing appears to be wrong with the surfaces & alignment etc. I thought it might just be a new brake pad wearing in, but I have put a couple of hundred miles on it and the noise is still there.
Sorry for the rather vague question, but if anyone can help (and save me a trip back to the LBS) I would be grateful.
The brakes are Avid Shorty 4 Canti brakes. I have checked the wheel rim and the brake pad and nothing appears to be wrong with the surfaces & alignment etc. I thought it might just be a new brake pad wearing in, but I have put a couple of hundred miles on it and the noise is still there.
Sorry for the rather vague question, but if anyone can help (and save me a trip back to the LBS) I would be grateful.
10-08-08, 11:15 PM
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10-09-08, 12:25 AM
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Pad Toeing:
This is the setting of pad angle as it touches the rim. Toeing refers to setting the pad so the pad's front edge strikes first, which tends to reduce squeal during braking. Caliper arms tend to have play in the pivots and the arms flex when the brake is applied. This may cause squealing in the brake pads. See parktools.com under repair help for more info.
This is the setting of pad angle as it touches the rim. Toeing refers to setting the pad so the pad's front edge strikes first, which tends to reduce squeal during braking. Caliper arms tend to have play in the pivots and the arms flex when the brake is applied. This may cause squealing in the brake pads. See parktools.com under repair help for more info.
10-09-08, 02:25 AM
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I would venture to guess that it's moisture. I get TERRIBLE screeching sounds from my front brake (also cantilever) anytime it gets wet/damp (lots of fog here in San Francisco). Sounds like someone's about to die, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on braking power, only on innocent bystanders.
10-09-08, 03:38 AM
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Pad Toeing:
This is the setting of pad angle as it touches the rim. Toeing refers to setting the pad so the pad's front edge strikes first, which tends to reduce squeal during braking. Caliper arms tend to have play in the pivots and the arms flex when the brake is applied. This may cause squealing in the brake pads. See parktools.com under repair help for more info.
This is the setting of pad angle as it touches the rim. Toeing refers to setting the pad so the pad's front edge strikes first, which tends to reduce squeal during braking. Caliper arms tend to have play in the pivots and the arms flex when the brake is applied. This may cause squealing in the brake pads. See parktools.com under repair help for more info.
the solutions is to get better cantis like tektro CR720
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10-09-08, 10:28 AM
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And why would cantilevers be any different from calipers with regard to toeing the pads?
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10-09-08, 10:42 AM
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I read up a lot on those avid cantis and seems that for some combinations of frame/fork/wheels they can't be silenced permanently unless frequently tweaked.
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https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
10-09-08, 10:42 AM
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Also FWIW - the 720's have a ton of play in the arms around the pivot.
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10-09-08, 04:02 PM
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anyone know if XTR canti's tend to screech? My wife prefers I not brake when I ride with her on my 'cross bike.
10-09-08, 06:10 PM
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brake boosters
Here is the answer: https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=11615.
They are not pretty, but they work. They mount forward of your front brakes - they come with a set of bolts that are slightly longer than the bolts currently holding your brakes on.
I've had the same problem for over a year and it turned out the problem was the fork flexing when I brake. The studs the cantis mount to actually splay out a bit as you squeeze the brakes, and the net result is that any toe-in you have is canceled out by the flexing.
They are not pretty, but they work. They mount forward of your front brakes - they come with a set of bolts that are slightly longer than the bolts currently holding your brakes on.
I've had the same problem for over a year and it turned out the problem was the fork flexing when I brake. The studs the cantis mount to actually splay out a bit as you squeeze the brakes, and the net result is that any toe-in you have is canceled out by the flexing.
10-09-08, 06:12 PM
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This is definitely due to improper toe-in. Put a credit card at the back of the pad when you adjust it- that should make the front touch the rim before the back. Good-bye squeeks.
10-09-08, 06:16 PM
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Here is the answer: https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=11615.
They are not pretty, but they work. They mount forward of your front brakes - they come with a set of bolts that are slightly longer than the bolts currently holding your brakes on.
I've had the same problem for over a year and it turned out the problem was the fork flexing when I brake. The studs the cantis mount to actually splay out a bit as you squeeze the brakes, and the net result is that any toe-in you have is canceled out by the flexing.
They are not pretty, but they work. They mount forward of your front brakes - they come with a set of bolts that are slightly longer than the bolts currently holding your brakes on.
I've had the same problem for over a year and it turned out the problem was the fork flexing when I brake. The studs the cantis mount to actually splay out a bit as you squeeze the brakes, and the net result is that any toe-in you have is canceled out by the flexing.
10-13-08, 04:33 AM
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For me it is heel-in (or even a neutral adjustment) that causes brake squeal. I adjust my pads with plenty of toe-in so the front of the brake pad hits the rim first. I get no squeal when braking lightly. Without the brake booster in place, however, when I squeeze the brake hard the studs flex enough that my toe-in is canceled out. By this I mean the rear portions of the pads put more force on the rim than the front portions.
10-13-08, 04:54 AM
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I dont bother with screeching canti brakes. Toe ins are only a temporary fix, they will eventually start screeching again once the pad wears down. I would just live with it. You should hear my cx bike, its terrible and I can't do anything about it (TRP eurox brakes)
08-03-09, 07:36 PM
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I rang a highly-respected LBS (Melbourne, AUS) to inquire about brake boosters. I was advised not to use them. They are no longer sold because they can cause the fork to break. I couldn't see how this would happen; on the other hand I haven't been able to source a brake booster anywhere in Australia.
It's an appealing solution all the same. Toe-in is not a satisfactory solution for me, although it works. I do it, but it's in desperation.
It's an appealing solution all the same. Toe-in is not a satisfactory solution for me, although it works. I do it, but it's in desperation.
