Questions tagged [brakes]
Disc/rim/drum/coaster brakes; braking technique, maintaining brakes, anything else about stopping a bike.
1,216
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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 ...
7
votes
1
answer
10k
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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 ...
7
votes
5
answers
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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 ...
7
votes
2
answers
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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?
7
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3
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What bicycle design factors affect stopping power?
I've been under the impression that bikes and motorcycles cannot stop as quickly as cars. I'm curious what factors have the largest impact on bike stopping distance.
What comes to my mind are:
Tire ...
7
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2
answers
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Is there a quick and reliable way to identify hydraulic brake fluid?
I recently saw a Shimano hydraulic disk brake system that was about to be bled with yellow oil in it (Shimano's mineral oil is red). Most likely it was third party mineral oil like Finish Line's ...
7
votes
3
answers
8k
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Hydraulic brake lever doesn't return after being released, dependent on weather
I have a pair of second-hand Shimano ST-RS685 hydraulic brake levers / shifters. Unbeknownst to me they hadn't been used for a year and had quite a bit of dirt / grit inside, which I've cleaned to a ...
7
votes
1
answer
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Flat mount brake caliper and rotor tolerances
So I was finishing my build today putting all pieces together on my Diverge 52 carbon frame when something come to my attention: the flat mount SRAM Red hydraulic brake calipers can barely clear the ...
7
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1
answer
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What did I just do? Fluid shot out of my handlebar when pushing my caliper in
I just bought a new road bike with hydraulic disc brakes, using a Shimano Ultegra R8020 Groupset. The pad was rubbing on the rear rotor and it wouldn't recenter when pumping the brake. The brake lever ...
7
votes
1
answer
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How to prevent the quick-release pin on the Tektro drop brake lever from rattling?
Tektro RL-340 brake levers have a quick release mechanism that, when pushed in, will lengthen the cable to allow to easily disengage the brake from the wheel/disc without needing to deflate the tire.
...
7
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1
answer
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What should I do about salt in V-brakes?
I've been riding a lot thins winter in spite of unusually snowy, icy, and slushy conditions. While I know how to lube and clean my chain and can deal with other accumulated filth, I'm having trouble ...
7
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1
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Does having machined brake surface on rims matter?
I'm looking at getting a wheelset with disc hubs and rim brakes to run on my disc and non-disc cross bikes. There are stock wheels that have velocity a23 rims, which are a poupular rim brake ...
7
votes
1
answer
3k
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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, ...
6
votes
3
answers
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End of brake cable touches tire
On my Trek Domane SLR the end of the front brake cable touches the tire. It makes an enerving sound and I am a afraid it destroys my tire. I thought about using some tape, but that is not possible ...
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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 ...
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Can I mount disc brakes and 650b wheels on this bike?
I've got an early-mid 2000's Trek touring frame, I think – got it about 6 years ago at a local bike co-op for my first (and only) ground-up build, and had it powder coated, and unfortunately I didn’t ...
6
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answers
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Is there any advantage to using brakes the UK style?
For a moment forget about the current downsides of preferring UK brakes living in a non-UK marketplace:
Hard to test ride bikes in stores
Rental bikes won't be set up that way
Some frames might not ...
6
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4
answers
3k
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Mechanic told me to replace the entire brake system because of "slow return"?
A bit of back story first: I bought a second-hand bike in 2020. It has SRAM Level TL installed from the start. It caught my attention that brake lever didn't return to the end and had very little ...
6
votes
3
answers
5k
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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 ...
6
votes
2
answers
656
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Attachmentpoint rim brakes carbon bike, sratches/crack?
I own a 2019 Rose XLITE carbon road bike with rim brakes.
Today, I conducted a thorough inspection, taking things apart. At the rear of the bike, on the attachment point where the brake is fixed to ...
6
votes
4
answers
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Is there any kind of adapter to mount v-brakes or cantilevers to a frame that's not designed to accommodate them?
I have an aluminum single-speed frame that was marketed as a fixie. I'm wanting to convert it to a single-speed commuter. (I'm getting older and the fixie doesn't agree with my knees anymore.) It has ...
6
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3
answers
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Is it normal for disc brakes to smell of burnt plastic?
So, a new bike, Avid Elixir 5 180mm front and rear. My second ride was on a short dirt road, 340m denivelation.
I held the brakes (mainly the front) more than 50% of the time, as the road was too ...
6
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3
answers
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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 ...
6
votes
2
answers
2k
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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 ...
6
votes
2
answers
625
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What is the purpose of mixing brake cable housings?
Jagwire has in its offer Road Pro Brake Kit -- https://jagwire.com/products/diy-cable-kits/2017road-pro-brake-kit. The housing is two segments -- compressible next to the brake levers and for the rest ...
6
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3
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What is MTB/roadbike specific in brake cables?
Basically as the title says. Why won't a "roadbike" bike cable fit into an MTB, or vice-versa?
Consider this one. What would happen if this was mounted in an MTB (or any other kind of bike)?
6
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3
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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 ...
6
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2
answers
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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 ...
6
votes
3
answers
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Purpose of some "mounting points" on a suspension fork? (left rear side, 2 eyelets)
I recently bought a bike equipped with a Fox 34 AWL suspension fork (pictured below).
As it is shown on the picture, the left leg has 5 mounting points: the 3 lower ones are clearly identified: ...
6
votes
1
answer
2k
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How to interpret Shimano compatibility chart?
How does one interpret the delineation of horizontally-aligned boxes on the Shimano compatibility charts? Below is a screenshot (with added blue numbering) for discussion purposes.
For example, why ...
6
votes
2
answers
7k
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Are v-brakes universal in size (kids vs adults)?
Took my 5-year-old out for a ride today and the front brake pipe / noodle (?) popped out of the folded steel retainer. The retainer (not sure of the correct name) was splayed open and definitely needs ...
6
votes
3
answers
4k
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Do hydraulic road brake levers exist that do not include shifters or dropper post buttons?
I have a single speed bike (Genesis Day One ~2013) with mechanical disc brakes.
I would like to upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes.
Do hydraulic road brake levers exist that do not include shifters or ...
6
votes
1
answer
16k
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Can I use brake pads for carbon wheels with aluminum wheels?
I bought a bicycle with carbon wheels, and for training I purchased an aluminum wheelset. I have SwissStop brake pads. Can I use them with aluminum wheels? I don't care much if these pads wear out ...
6
votes
2
answers
2k
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How to roll-start with a back-pedal coaster brake?
I have a bicycle with a coaster brake. It is very "handy" to brake even without hands. But somehow I can only do a stand still start. This means if have to get on bike first and then start pedaling. ...
6
votes
3
answers
3k
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Why doesn't this V-Brake fit my frame?
As part of a bike rebuild I'm working on, I replaced the old cantilever brakes with new Shimano V-brakes.
The problem is that the new front brake doesn't seem to fit with the wheel.
The rim walls are ...
6
votes
2
answers
609
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Aside from brakes, what items can be mounted to v-brake mounts?
I have a bicycle frame with mounts for both disc brakes and conventional brakes. I'm curious to know what other accessories I can attach to the conventional brake mounts if I decide to use disc brakes ...
6
votes
2
answers
1k
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Wheel with Centerlock hub for disc brakes and rim for caliper brakes
Does it make sense to build a wheel with a hub with Centerlock for disc brakes and a rim for caliper brakes?
My idea is to use the front wheel with a dynamo on two bikes, if I decide that I need a ...
6
votes
3
answers
2k
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Magura rim brake does not work well on a new rim
I have a bike with 20inch wheels and Magura HS11 rim brakes. On the rear wheel I have just replaced the rim, because the old one had split after many thousand kilometres. The new rim is an Alex DM24 ...
6
votes
4
answers
3k
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What are the brake housing stoppers on the end of the brake housing called (see pic)
My brake cable snapped while riding my (80s road) bike one day so I replaced it.
After replacing I noticed that the piece fixing the housing to the brake was missing so that when I pulled the brake ...
6
votes
4
answers
7k
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Ease of servicing disc vs. rim brakes
How easy is it to keep a mechanical (non-hydraulic) disc brake system working at home with a set of "normal" (not bike-specific) tools, especially compared to rim brakes?
Discs seem to be currently ...
6
votes
1
answer
533
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Which brake system is this
I have two brake systems I think on my bike. On the front I have a threaded stud and on the back a road brake.
Here is the front and the back (click for large version):
As you can see on the back the ...
6
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3
answers
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Troubleshooting Hydraulic Disc Brakes
I replaced the fluid in my hydraulic disc brakes as they would not work within the first 10 minutes of cycling and would gradually sharpen up. I suspect they had air in the system.
They were sharp ...
6
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3
answers
20k
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B01S brake pads for Deore A-M615 brakes?
I bought replacement pads for my Deore A-M615 brakes. They installed just fine. But after cleaning the old pads, I saw that they are G01S, while the new ones are B01S.
G01S, the original:
B01S, ...
6
votes
1
answer
311
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How to prevent loose brake cables with a single pivot side-pull mechanism?
I recently bought a second hand bike and am now tweaking it to my liking.
The bike has single pivot side-pull brakes, but it has a straight steering bar with regular brake levers (very similar, if not ...
6
votes
1
answer
7k
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How do I setup these brakes?
I recently bought a bike from bikes direct (The kilo TT stripper). Its a fixed gear bike that came with a front and rear brake. I was able to setup everything but the brakes.
The brakes are: Front/...
6
votes
3
answers
4k
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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
3
answers
16k
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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 ...
6
votes
2
answers
2k
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Is the banjo bolt the same between the Shimano XTR and Shimano Saint rear brake caliper?
Earlier today, I went to install a brand new Shimano Saint caliper in place of an old XTR that's leaking from the pistons, only to find that Shimano doesn't include the banjo bolt...
Do the XTR and ...
6
votes
5
answers
2k
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Coaster brakes vs. Handle brakes
i will be honest. I am nearly 50y/o and not in tip top shape either. I have not owned a bike since I was 12y/o. I want to buy a bike. I am looking at the cruiser bikes. Most come with coaster brakes....
6
votes
1
answer
2k
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Why did Shimano name them V Brakes?
Why did Shimano name and trademark their variety of direct pull brakes: V-Brakes®?
Is it because of shape? The two arms look kind of like a V? That seems a fail as they are more parallel than most ...