Disc/rim/drum/coaster brakes; braking technique, maintaining brakes, nything else about stopping a bike.
8
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I get my brakes to stop squealing
I've tried sanding them down just a bit, cleaning the brake surface on the wheels, and this does stop them from squealing for a day or two, but it always comes back. I'm using Kool-stop pads if it ...
5
votes
2answers
507 views
V-Brake levers for drop handlebars?
I would like to try the drop handlebar on my touring bicycle that has V-Brakes, and Shimano 9x3 speeds. Are there drop handlebar levers (integrated shifters would be great), that have correct pull ...
4
votes
6answers
1k views
Is there a reason for brakes to be reversed in bikes with Hydraulic Brakes?
I recently bought a MTB with Hydraulic Disk Brakes, and am finding really hard to adjust with the braking system. From the very beginning I was cycling with Front brakes on right hand. But now its ...
6
votes
2answers
191 views
Replacing brake system on a bike
Is it possible to change the braking system from rim brakes to rotary. I want to replace them because I hate how after a while the pads wear out and I need to replace it so I think the rotary might be ...
0
votes
2answers
106 views
Which brake posts do I need?
I have a Schwinn Rocket mountain bike with front and rear V-brakes. While removing the rear brakes to be replaced with higher quality ones, I managed to twist one of the brake posts out of the frame ...
1
vote
2answers
107 views
installing brand new cartridge brakes, something seems fishy
So I am installing a brand new cartridge brake pad assembly on my mountain bike. I noticed that the brakes have a left and right written on them so i install them properly. What seems fishy to me is ...
4
votes
2answers
354 views
Rollerbrakes very noisy when used
One of my bikes has "rollerbrakes" (commuter bike). When I brake very gently, they work silent. If I squeeze the brakes a liiitle more, I hear a terrible metal to metal screaching sound. It makes ...
0
votes
1answer
471 views
How to convert a multi-speed bike to single-speed with coaster brake?
Now I don't want to take all the credit for this bike, but I'm pretty sure Trek must've lovingly had me in mind when they made this. I mean come on. This bike is awesome. Buying their beach cruiser ...
6
votes
4answers
232 views
V-brakes during winter?
I'm considering some Schwalbe Marathon Winter tires so I can continue commuting to work during the UK winter ( -3°C to +8°C, with some snow and ice). However, I only have V-brakes. Are those brakes ...
5
votes
3answers
221 views
Is there a good way to clean brake hoods?
I just picked up an old bike with white brake hoods. They are pretty gnarsty, covered in a greyish brown layer of filth.
I've tried a soapy rag and scrubber brush with elbow grease. It takes care of ...
4
votes
1answer
585 views
How do Mini V-brakes compare to cantilever brakes for Cyclocross bikes?
I've got a surly cross check with straight bars, v-brakes, and mountain shifters. I was considering a switch to a drop bar setup for cyclocross racing so I have an alternative to my single speed cross ...
3
votes
2answers
285 views
Which brake is most expendable?
I'm thinking of removing a brake(front or back) to reduce weight and simplify my bike. Which brake is most expendable? Its your average fixie road bike.
0
votes
2answers
907 views
Adjust reach on Ultegra ST-6510 levers?
I'd like to adjust the reach (distance from the drop bars to the brake levers) on my Ultegra 6510 levers. The Shimano instructions don't mention the ability to adjust this at all, which seems odd to ...
8
votes
4answers
5k views
Front brake only on a fixed-gear bike
Is it considered safe-enough to only have a front-brake on a fixie in a urban area that has many hills? I've been considering buying one, but I want to get some opinions before I move forward.
1
vote
2answers
346 views
Am I better off buying a new bike, or upgrading my old bike?
Half a year ago I started to use again my old Schwinn Woodlands MTB for commuting. I didn't want to spend a fortune on a new bike, I wasn't certain that I would like to bike commute daily.
Bike has ...
54
votes
13answers
7k views
Why don't road bikes have disc brakes?
Window shopping for road bikes, can't see many that have disc brakes, any reason for this?
3
votes
3answers
954 views
How do I use retro drop down handlebars with no hoods?
The preface this, I am just going to say that I am awful on a bicycle.
I have recently gotten a bike that I love, it's beautiful, and I love riding it, however the drop handlebars have no hoods so ...
15
votes
5answers
3k views
Can your rims wear down from too much braking?
I have a question about rims based on information in another question. The person asking states that he doesn't want his rims wearing down. Is this really a problem? Assuming you don't wear the ...
7
votes
5answers
912 views
What is the recommended type of tire for riding on wet pavement?
I am commuting in rainy Seattle, and the rain has started. Right now I have Continental Gatorskin tires on my commuter, but yesterday I noticed I was braking to stop the wheels and skidding quite a ...
3
votes
1answer
211 views
What are the alternatives to SwissStop Blue v-brake pads
We've got a tandem with Rigida Andara CSS tungsten carbide rims and Swisstop Blue v-brake pads. We're happy with the performance and life of both of these over the last 1000 miles.
The problem is ...
3
votes
3answers
546 views
could I mount a different manufacturer brand rotor to use with my brakes?
I've a tektro draco hydraulic brakes on my mtb and I would like to know if it is possible to mount a different brand rotor to use with my brakes?
2
votes
1answer
155 views
Brake response is spongey post-brake lever upgrade
I have just performed an upgrade of brake levers on my Plug Racer, from the original cross-style levers (top mounted, possibly Promax 239A models) to Cane Creek 200TT bar end levers, connecting them ...
3
votes
1answer
315 views
Will a road brake lever work with a v-brake?
I'm planning on changing my commuter handlebar to a drop handlebar. As the diameters are different, I need to know if the new brake lever will work with the existing v-brakes.
(My intention is to ...
1
vote
1answer
154 views
Do I need better “springs” on my disc brakes?
After 20 years commuting on old/cheap bikes, I finally evolved up to a nice solid touring rig with cable disc brakes (Avid BB5). I love the bike and the brakes. They're much easier to maintain, ...
5
votes
1answer
176 views
There is a lip on my brake pad from bad positioning. Can I remove the lip?
One of my bikes had the brake pads positioned poorly and they developed a pretty pronounced lip where the pad hung off machined braking surface on one side. The bike is using cantilever brakes.
These ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
How do I prevent my hydraulic brakes from getting pressed/damaged when the wheels are off?
When I was buying my bike, the technician in the shop told me not to press the brakes when the wheels are off (detached), otherwise the brakes will get damaged (I don't know how).
I need to detach ...
2
votes
1answer
322 views
Can you add oil to a hydraulic disc brake reservoir without bleeding the brakes?
Is it possible to add oil to the hydraulic disc brake reservoir to increase the stiffness of the lever, without bleeding the brakes?
1
vote
3answers
567 views
Cantilever cable adjustment device
I'm about to build up a frame (Motobecane Fantom CX) with cantilevers and drop bars. I plan to use my old Campy 9-speed levers. Obviously, those levers don't have any way of adjusting the cable length ...
13
votes
2answers
486 views
What does “modulate” mean when referring to brakes?
Often in a review of brakes, or an article talking about braking the author will use the term "modulate." E.g. "The brake modulates well" or "Modulate your front brake."
What exactly does this term ...
15
votes
5answers
2k views
Why do the front and rear brakes work independently?
Why do bicycles have two individual brake levers that work independently to brake each wheel? I've always used my right brake lever because it is more comfortable to do so and I haven't noticed any ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Do I need to replace hydraulic fluid in my brakes?
I've had my bike (GT Avalanche 1) for maybe four or five years now. I've changed the pads once, removed and cleaned all parts on the bike a few times now, but I've never touched the brake fluid. ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I make a road brake lever work alongside a mtb brake lever
If I manage to get a dropbar on my mtb and want to use both the MTB brake lever AND the road dropbar brake lever (like the Tiagra STI, but no gear shifting)... Is it possible? Can they use the same ...
2
votes
2answers
158 views
Problems with brake discs
I recently bought a new bike. It is a Scott bike with disc brakes. The bike went in for it's service and now it has problems braking. As soon as I pull the brake leavers the front brakes makes a loud ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
What to buy when looking for a low maintenance city bike that allows sportive riding
I just want to replace my good old 50€ used Peugeot City Bike, that has served me well for the past year, but has some problems (like ribbed Steel Rims) that are hard to overcome.
I want something ...
1
vote
1answer
280 views
Can I use long reach calipers on my cyclocross bike?
I've got cx bike(Centurion Cyclocross 4000) which I currently use only for commuting and riding long distances on a road. Is it possible to use some longreach caliper brakes on it (e.g. Shimano BR-650 ...
1
vote
3answers
176 views
Which rotor, Steel or Titanium comes with Avid CODE brakes?
I just bought Avid CODE brakes. It comes with a rotor (200mm). I checked the website and manual and I can't find out if the rotor is stainless steel or the titanium version.
How can I tell?
...
2
votes
2answers
196 views
How to improve front brake functionality?
My front brake (cantilever brakes) does not make contact with the rim until I pull the brake levers almost all the way in, leaving me with very little space to apply extra force. That means the brakes ...
1
vote
1answer
361 views
Brake cable housing doesn't attach to lever
I got a new bike but the front brake doesn't work. I tried reading up about the brake system on line and learned quite a bit (they're cantilever brakes). But I am missing something elementary and ...
6
votes
5answers
7k views
How often should disk brakes need bleeding?
The brake handles for my disk brakes became very loose four months after I bought the bike. The bike shop bled the brakes and put new oil in them, which sorted it.
They're feeling a bit loose again ...
4
votes
1answer
199 views
How to properly adjust rim brakes for a touring bike?
My touring bike needs new brake pads, and I'm about to do the swap. I've done it before, and plan to consult the usual YouTube videos to refresh myself in the procedure. (Brakes are something where ...
4
votes
2answers
410 views
Do brakes provide full power when used from the hoods?
I have been riding mountain bikes for over 20 years and am just going back to a road bike. I find the modern bars and hoods and combined levers a very strange position. I have actually loosened them ...
4
votes
3answers
198 views
Can I damage my brakes by testing them vigorously?
My understanding is that it’s important to regularly test one’s brakes, by grabbing the lever and squeezing it hard, perhaps all the way down to the bars. The theory is that if they’re going to fail, ...
3
votes
1answer
128 views
How long do brake pads last in storage?
I’ve discovered in my parts box some rim brake pads that have been there for several years. Aside from age, they are in fine shape (some are new). Can I put these on my bike, or is there hidden ...
4
votes
3answers
399 views
How bad is this broken brake cable strand?
I just bought a new bicycle. While I was fiddling with things (removing tags, mounting a light, etc.) I noticed that the boot on the rear brake cable was loose. When trying to reseat it, I found that ...
2
votes
1answer
4k views
How to adjust Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes?
I have a Trek X-Caliber and the rear disc is rubbing a little. So I want to adjust the brakes so it doesn't rub and make things a bit easier of course.
I see many videos about brake adjustment but ...
2
votes
3answers
337 views
Why do you think I nearly fell on this turn?
I was riding my new Scott road bike yesterday and I nearly took a terrible fall. The pavement was wet and there was a curve. I was riding approximately 15 mph and I braked with the rear brake. As I ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I prevent disk brakes from squeaking in the rain?
When I got my new bike with disk brakes, I thought that they would perform much better in the rain. While this is true, they still squeak quite loud in wet conditions, which is quite annoying. Is ...
9
votes
8answers
473 views
Are there devices to moderate speed on mountain descents without braking?
In my neck of the woods there are some mountain descents that are pretty substantial: say 600 meters vertically averaging 7% grade, with lots of curves and other obstacles like potholes. Typically the ...
3
votes
6answers
2k views
Why do my brakes squeak? Do I have an incorrect distance between brake pads and rims?
My brakes were working normally until I adjust them today. I thought the brake pads were too close to the rims so I increase the distance a bit. Now every time I brake, they make horrible squeaking ...
1
vote
1answer
212 views
Replacing 'cone nuts' on a damaged coaster brake
I'm attempting to refurbish a bike that I was given, it has a (not sure what brand) coaster brake, which according to sheldon brown's site has a peculiar kind of cone nut. The wheel might be 10 years ...
