I just built a mountain bike with Avid BB7 brakes and Shimano V-brake levers. I used the exact same configuration on another bike, and it worked beautifully. But on this one, the brakes are just weak as hell. I know that disk brakes are supposed to have a short break-in period, but I'm way beyond that now, and still no change. What's going on and how can I fix it?
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1Are they properly adjusted and mounted? What pads and rotors are being used? We need more details.– whatsisnameMay 12 '13 at 14:59
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Make sure you purchased long-pull BB7 calipers and not the short-pull versions specific for road bikes!– WTHarperMay 12 '13 at 16:00
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sram.com/avid/family/bb ... You can see there are quite a few versions.– WTHarperMay 12 '13 at 16:01
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Yes, I have the long-pull MTB version. Rotors: 160 rear, 180 front. I'm using the pads that came with the brakes.– Mike BaranczakMay 12 '13 at 16:14
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how much time did you have to break them in?– trailmaxMay 13 '13 at 9:02
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Avid recommends breaking those discs and pads in with about 30 or 40 deliberately hard stops in order to build up a good foundation. If you've gone through that process a couple of times and still no dice, there could be brake fluid on the discs or pads. Some water or isopropyl alcohol should take care of that.
answered May 12 '13 at 20:57
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Just to add to the answer, all manufacturers recommend bedding in disc brakes. This transfers some pad material to the rotors. It improves braking substantially. I don't exactly know the chemistry and physics behind this, but you need to bed in every disc brake at every level, from Tiagra to Dura Ace on the road. Sep 11 '20 at 12:44