Disc/rim/drum/coaster brakes; braking technique, maintaining brakes, nything else about stopping a bike.
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, ...
2
votes
1answer
324 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?
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
26
votes
13answers
4k views
Do skilled cyclists really “use the front brake alone probably 95% of the time”?
Sheldon Brown's Braking and Turning Your Bicycle page states that:
Skilled cyclists use the front brake alone probably 95% of the time
and
"Generally I advise against using both brakes at ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
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, ...
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?
...
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
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
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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
2answers
154 views
Where to get the short wire of the cantilever brake?
I was riding my bike and rear brake fell apart. As a result I lost the short wire of the cantilever brake, or at least that what it seems to be called. Where can I buy that short cable please ? Here ...
2
votes
2answers
244 views
Can i use v brakes on racing bike rims?
i fitted a set of cheap "thin" (racing bike size) rims with 32 mm tyres. the fork allows even bigger tyres to be mounted. is it a problem if i fit the bike with Deore LX v-brakes ? will it brake ...
2
votes
2answers
207 views
Stop my front brake lever screws from vibrating out?
One of the most common maintenance tasks on my Mongoose Tyax Super is to tighten a small screw in my front brake level. It shakes loose both due to use, and from a habit I picked up riding in ...
4
votes
1answer
451 views
What brand / model of brake is this modified U-brake?
I have been searching for a while, and I cannot find any information on my rear u-brake. It has served me well for many years (10+), and has a surprising amount of force. It's stronger than any ...
3
votes
1answer
804 views
Replace Ultegra 6600 STI lever
I need to replace my Ultegra 6600 right hand shifter as the ratcheting system is gone. The rest of the groupset is all the same 6600 series.
I am having a hard time sourcing just a right hand side ...
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 ...
4
votes
4answers
840 views
How can I stop a belt brake (band brake) from squealing?
One of our bikes is an electric bike. It's an older iZip HG 1000, and although we got it through the American "manufacturer" (Currie Technologies), like most of the low-end ebikes it's made in China ...
1
vote
2answers
471 views
The quick release on my shimano sora brakes pops open during braking
Occasionally, when using my bike with shimano sora brakes on the front and rear, the quick release will pop open during braking, reducing my braking power. Is there some way to prevent this? Is it ...
1
vote
1answer
137 views
Cane Creek Drop V cable compatibility
Are Cane Creek Drop V levers compatible with road brake cables or MTB brake cables? Specifically, road cables and MTB cables have different nipples that sit in the brake lever, and I need to know ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Cable/cord near brake level is extremely loose, brake doesn't work
When I press my left brake lever, nothing happens. I looked and the cable is loose. It comes completely out of the little silver thing on the left side of the handle. (left when looking at pic)
The ...
1
vote
1answer
934 views
Adding disc brake to Trek 7.1 FX
I'm seeking advice on how to install disc brakes on the Trek 7.1 FX.
Does the Trek 7.1 FX have the mount for installing disc brakes?
Which disc brake option is better to go for, mechanical or ...
3
votes
2answers
654 views
Disc brake pads - steel vs aluminium back plate
I am looking at a set of Organic Disc brake pads. The brake pads come with a steel back plate or as an aluminium back plate. Why would I choose one over the other?
4
votes
5answers
3k views
Why do my disk brakes squeal when wet?
Picture the scene... It's just been raining and you are getting ready to commute home after work, you cycle out on to the tarmac and as you do so, you notice a bunch of pedestrians push the button on ...
2
votes
2answers
937 views
In what ways is a dual pivot brake better than single-pivot?
How exactly is a dual pivot brake better than single pivot?
Is it the travel, mechanical advantage, or what?
6
votes
6answers
5k views
brake lever will not return
My friend has a mountain bike that survived last years Queensland's floods (Australia, that is), but is all battered and bruised after not being ridden for a year. With my beginner's repair skills, I ...
3
votes
3answers
517 views
What rear brake should I get for a Surly Steamroller?
I recently acquired a Surly Steamroller (fixed gear bike). I want to ride is as a single speed for everyday use. I changed out the rear wheel and got one with a flip-flop hub. I'd also like to add a ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Dealing with very juddery cantilever brakes
I'm a commuter with a ~13m daily round-trip. I've been riding this on an MTB for 8 years, but I'm looking to upgrade. I recently tried out a 2012 model Specialized Tricross; this having been ...
7
votes
2answers
308 views
How could I have avoided this accident?
On Sunday I wanted to use my free day and I planned to do a half-day ride with my mountain bike. The weather wasn't really good, but at least it wasn't raining as the days before.
I rode up a ...
24
votes
13answers
3k views
Safest way to slow down a bike quickly if both sets of brakes fail
This may sound like a crazy question, however today in the wet my rear brakes decided to stop working effectively. It has been pouring rain here which makes the problem more apparent.
I managed to ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Cantilever Brakes - Cyclocross
I've recently purchased a Cyclocross bike that's been great so far. I use it to commute and race. However, I don't find the cantilever brakes that came with it satisfactory. I'd like to switch them ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Rear wheel not centred, presses against one of the brake pads (Rohloff hub, Magura rim brakes)
Upon replacing my rear brake pads, I noticed that my rear wheel is not properly centered.
The consequence is that the wheel is pressed against one of the brake pads, as can be seen in the pictures ...
8
votes
2answers
358 views
Can I replace my self-energizing brakes with regular cantilevers?
I recently bought a used tandem and am going to be tuning it up over the winter. It's a Yakota Twin Peaks (i.e. 20 years old) and it has Scott-Peterson Self-Energizing brakes. I haven't taken them ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Is it worth switching from regular “rim brakes” to the new disk brakes?
I have an old Haro mountain bike I love. One feature request I have for a new bike is disk brakes. Is it possible to install disk brakes on an old bike? Is it worth it?
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 ...
