Disc/rim/drum/coaster brakes; braking technique, maintaining brakes, nything else about stopping a bike.
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Adjusting the pull/reach of STI levers with top-brakes (Tricross)
Please excuse my terminology, I have a Specialized Tricross (2008) with Shimano Tiagra STI levers, and convenience brakes on the top of the bars, running through the same cable.
Naturally, adjusting ...
6
votes
1answer
148 views
Fitting brake cables on Tektro rl726 levers
Iv'e got some Tektro RL726 brake levers that I want to fit to a project bike. I bought the cables online & they have arrived with a stopper on both ends. Am I right in thinking I have to cut one ...
5
votes
5answers
297 views
Is it ever legal in the USA not to have two brakes on a bike?
When using a bike on a road in the USA, is it ever legal not to have separate brakes on the front and back wheels?
5
votes
2answers
505 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
751 views
Brake callipers not long enough to allow adjustment of pads
I upgraded the standard Tektro brakes on my SE Lager to Shimano 105s. The braking performance is vastly improved. I also have Charge Plug wheels, rather than the stock wheels.
However I've noticed ...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
Front wheel “shudder” or “pulse” when braking
When I apply the front brake I can feel a "shudder" or "pulse" through the front wheel, fork and handlebars. It's faster when I'm travelling faster and slower when I'm moving slower.
I assume there's ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the stopping force of your average road bike?
Does anyone have any data on the stopping force of a modern road bike? IE when a road biker slams on the brakes the force applied to the ground is x.xxx Newtons (or lbf).
Another way to ask would be ...
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
401 views
V-Brake pads for wet conditions
In wet conditions, my current brakes are pretty poor. Without switching to disc brakes, what are my options for v-brake pads that work better in the wet?
I'm only thinking about this for my commuting ...
5
votes
1answer
6k views
How do I bleed Avid Elixir brakes
My bike has a set of Avid Elixir R hydraulic brakes. The front brake barely goes on when I pull the lever and the back brake feels pretty soft. I think I need to bleed them. How do I go about doing ...
5
votes
3answers
874 views
Disk brake has never worked properly from new, pads replaced - still rubbish!
I've got Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and ever since I've had the bike (from new) the front brake has never worked properly. It used to squeak really loudly and perform badly but I assumed they just ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How to get more tire clearance with caliper brakes?
I've discovered the brakes on my Bike Friday Tikit don't allow for enough clearance to run Schwalbe Marathon tires. The bike - a folding bike with 16" rims - ships with Kojak treadless tires. It looks ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
Brake lever placement on a road bike
I am just going to re-wrap my road bike's handlebar tape tomorrow. Before I do that I was wondering what the proper place is to put the brake levers. I know they should be pointed vertically, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
549 views
Brakes periodically make “finger nails on chalk board” sound
Both my rim brakes --- front and back --- have started to make a periodic noise when I engage them. They will be silent for a little bit, then gradually start to make noise. As I brake, the noise will ...
4
votes
2answers
560 views
Where can I get a basic toolkit for bicycle - Walmart etc?
I want some basic things in toolkit (like oiling of chain, tightening of brakes etc). Where can I find them and how much does it usually cost? I want to buy one, so can you name the basic tools with ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
244 views
Rear hydraulic disc sticking
My 2012 Model Scott Sub 10 has recently been experiencing issues with the rear disc sticking on my daily commute and getting so bad that I have to stop, wait for it to cool and then push the disc a ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
941 views
Why does my back wheel keep becoming untrue?
So I broke a spoke a week ago, and when I put a new spoke in you know I trued it. Now, a week later, the bike feels like a kayak, because the back wheel is not very straight. Any idea why this would ...
4
votes
4answers
839 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
213 views
Brakes for a mountain bike frame (26'r) with 27" road wheels
I have converted a mountain bike to a commuter. the frame accommodated 27 " wheels, so I installed for a better ride. I have a road carbon kinesis fork up front with a v-brake, but need a rear ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
662 views
Dia Compe Brakes for 1991 Bridgestone RB-T
I have a 1991 Bridgestone RB-T. This bike has passed through many hands so much of the stock parts are gone. The original Dia Compe XCE brake arms have been replaced by Dimension canti arms.
My ...
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, ...
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
2answers
2k views
How to set up bike so that back-pedalling stops the rear wheel?
My first bike was a 1976 Raleigh Strika. It was brilliant and was distinguished by having only a front brake lever. To get the rear wheel to stop one simply back-pedalled. This was a v. efficient way ...
4
votes
4answers
779 views
Effectiveness of techniques to improve the performance of brakes
My bike does not perform badly at the moment, however browsing this site has lead me to wonder whether the performance of the brakes (the front one in particular) could be improved by various means ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
How do I stop my brake from sticking?
The rear brake (calliper) on my road bike sticks. When I pull the brake it pulls down but only half springs back and there's then slack in the leavers. This is causing rubbing on the rim.
It's a ...
4
votes
2answers
195 views
CB Roubaix upgrade to Shimano Tiagra - brake problems
I installed the new Tiagra brakes (4600) to my Claud Butler bike following the accompanying instructions. I've also installed new Tiagra levers.
There is not enough adjustment in the brakes to allow ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
How do I get rid of the noise on my Hayes Stroker Trail brakes
I recently bought a new bike that came with Hayes Stroker Trail hydraulic brakes. From day one they were squeeky and not very grippy. I wrote it off to the burn in period that most disc brakes ...
4
votes
2answers
112 views
What alters the efficiency of (cantilever) brakes?
I have installed on my bike brand new cantilever brakes (Shimano CX-70).
On the rear, the braking is justas efficient as I would have expected it to be.
But on the front, it feels quite weak. Front ...
4
votes
1answer
530 views
One stripped post mount on suspension fork
I have a suspension fork, which has a stripped lower post mount, i.e. the bolt used to attach the brake caliper doesn't grip the post. Before anyone asks - yes, it is the correct size bolt, as the ...
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 ...
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
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.
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 ...
3
votes
5answers
567 views
Removing lubricant from the rear brake and rim?
I accidentally got lube on my rear brake (v-brake) and my stopping power seems diminished. What is the best way to get it off the brake pads and the rims?
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
203 views
Is it ever legal in the UK not to have two brakes on a bike?
When using a bike on a road in the UK, is it ever legal not to have separate brakes on the front and back wheels?
3
votes
2answers
110 views
Brake lever seizing up from cold
I have perfectly ordinary standard-pull brake levers on my bike. When the temperature gets below 20F or so, the left-hand one seizes up, not wanting to pull, and not braking well if I force it. Once ...
3
votes
3answers
545 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?
3
votes
2answers
652 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?
3
votes
3answers
953 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 ...
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 ...
