Questions tagged [brakes]
Disc/rim/drum/coaster brakes; braking technique, maintaining brakes, anything else about stopping a bike.
198
questions
45
votes
6
answers
73k
views
How do I make my rim brakes stop squealing?
My rear rim brakes are squeaking loudly. I don't know what the problem is, but I am sure it has nothing to do with rain because it happens all the time even if it is dry.
Anybody have an idea what ...
- 553
12
votes
2
answers
89k
views
How do I know whether my bike can use disk brakes?
I have a Gary Fisher bike (wahoo I believe). I think it's considered the entry level Fisher mountain bike.
Could I put on disc brakes as opposed to using the standard brakes on this bike?
Standard ...
- 121
52
votes
8
answers
76k
views
Why don't brakes come with 'Safety Levers' any more?
It used to be very common to see bikes with dual pull brake levers (if that's even the right name) as shown below. However now it seems almost impossible to find brakes like this. Even finding a ...
- 21.9k
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
What is the mechanical advantage of mechanical rim brakes and levers?
I understand that the amount of hand force required for a given braking force
depends on the mechanical advantage of the braking system, which in turn is
a multiplication of the mechanical advantage ...
- 20.1k
70
votes
19
answers
85k
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 the ...
- 7,135
35
votes
1
answer
153k
views
What is the difference between I.S., post, and flat mount disc brake mounting standards?
What is the difference between "I.S." (international standard), "P.M." (post mount), and flat mount disc brake mounting standards?
Does one have a clear advantage over the other and is there a ...
- 29.3k
21
votes
2
answers
251k
views
Converting bike from rim brakes to disc brakes
I just bought a used 2009 Kona Dew and it comes with regular rim brakes. I'm perfectly happy with them so far, but have been wondering if disc brakes would come handy when it rains.
What is involved ...
- 787
7
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Can I convert flat bar to drop bars on a hybrid bike
I'm fairly certain that the bars should change out quite easily; I'm more concerned about the shifters and brakes. Currently I have a hybrid 18 speed with cable disc brakes and Shimano Deore XT ...
- 71
11
votes
2
answers
28k
views
What is the actual cable pull of brake levers?
I understand that there are 2 brake lever cable pull standards:
Standard Pull Levers
Long Pull Levers (for V-brakes and disc brakes)
But what is the actual difference in pull? And specifically: what ...
- 213
24
votes
6
answers
7k
views
What kinds of brake designs exist, and what are their general pros and cons?
Here are the ones I'm aware of:
Center Pull Cantilever
Slightly better braking than side pull brakes.
No recentering problem.
Relatively rare
V-Brakes
Cheap to produce.
Similar in braking power to ...
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Convert a Cannondale SM1000 (about 1991 model) to disk brakes
I've got an older, about 1991, model Cannondale SM1000 mountain bike purchased new. Would it be worth it to convert to disk brakes and if so what would be the process?
- 51
19
votes
5
answers
30k
views
Fixing noisy V brakes
My V brakes make a lot of noise when I brake! I am annoyed by such noise, not to mention the pedestrians. My mechanic said that it will not make this noise after using it for couple of days, but it is ...
- 2,958
40
votes
15
answers
64k
views
When should I not use my front brake?
I have only been riding for a short time and I remember when I was a child there was a belief that if you used your front brakes going downhill that you would fly over your handlebars.
However, my ...
- 1,509
18
votes
3
answers
68k
views
do I need to change my disc if the brake pads got oil on them
In trying to change the brake pads on my mountain bike, I managed to get oil on my new pads and empty out all the brake fluid, and consequently also get some oil on the disc. I took the bike to the ...
- 303
5
votes
1
answer
5k
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 ...
- 384
44
votes
10
answers
38k
views
Why is the front brake lever on the right if you 'drive' on the left and vice-versa?
I live in the UK and I expect my front brake lever to be operated by my right hand. However, I recently went on a friend's bike that had the brakes 'back to front', which would be the 'right way round'...
- 17.2k
21
votes
8
answers
63k
views
Why do my disc 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, the scent of fresh rain on hot tarmac fills your nostrils, you notice ...
- 988
8
votes
2
answers
17k
views
Disc brake break-in?
Just got a bike with discs (BB7).
The feel of the braking is so-so on the first ride (5km commute from LBS to home).
I think the cable for the rear needs a little tightening.
But even so, I don't ...
- 704
7
votes
1
answer
10k
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 ...
- 278
4
votes
1
answer
8k
views
Use of Shimano long-reach calipers with "New Super SLR" brake levers/shifters
So my bike has Shimano Tiagra ST-4600/4603 brifters (it's a triple) but is fitted with long-drop BR-R451 calipers. In theory, these should be incompatible because of the change in cable pull ratio, ...
- 231
4
votes
2
answers
597
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 ...
58
votes
18
answers
58k
views
What is the practical advantage of disk brakes over rim brakes?
Disk brakes are becomming more popular on bikes now, and I was just wondering what the advantage is of this type of brake over the older rim brakes.
- 683
34
votes
8
answers
26k
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 ...
- 21.9k
26
votes
1
answer
40k
views
What is the difference between different types of disc brake pads
I've seen several different descriptors for disc brake pads: Metallic, Semi-Metallic, and Organic. What is the difference between these types of disc brake pads?
- 18.3k
25
votes
2
answers
22k
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 ...
- 7,846
19
votes
7
answers
11k
views
How to build surge brakes on bike trailer?
There are a couple of pretty good answers in How to make a cargo trailer?. After looking at those, at the answer to What are the safety concerns of a high vs a low mount trailer hitch? and doing some ...
- 683
15
votes
4
answers
10k
views
Enhancing brake force with steel rims in wet conditions?
I currently own an old racing bike, that still has ripped steel rims and a side pull caliper brake. The braking power is acceptable when the street is dry, but as soon as it gets wet (even morning dew)...
- 1,269
14
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Why are there metal shavings in my brake pads?
I have several brake pads on my cantilever brakes that have several small metal shavings embedded in the pad. Is this normal? What should I do about it?
- 18.3k
13
votes
4
answers
14k
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 ...
- 759
12
votes
4
answers
14k
views
Disc brakes squeak on Trek mountain bike
I have a Trek 3900 mountain bike with disc brakes, and I just took it out of winter storage to start riding it for the season.
Everything works well, except for one very annoying problem: when I stop ...
- 519
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
can only use right hand to brake reliably, due to disability - safer/possible to modify bike?
I'm new here and hoping someone might have thoughts on this - had a look and couldn't find an answer elsewhere! Apologies for the kind of long question, and if it's silly, but any thoughts would be ...
- 121
10
votes
2
answers
14k
views
Orders of the washers on threaded-stud brake shoes
So today I changed my v-brake brake shoes on my old MTB to put cartridge brake shoes.
I noticed that the order of the washers was different on both brake shoes.
On the newer one the brake arm was ...
- 317
7
votes
1
answer
13k
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 ...
- 655
5
votes
5
answers
13k
views
Braking on a vintage road bike
I recently bought a vintage Gitane road bike. I understand that in the 70s and 80s they sold a lot of these road bikes with drop handle bars. Sometimes they came with the extra lever for an easier ...
- 51
3
votes
4
answers
767
views
Why dual pivot brakes, not longer brake arms?
Dual pivot brakes are marketed as having "more braking power", which in technical terms means higher mechanical advantage. Exactly the same effect can be achieved by longer brake arms (ones ...
- 1,635
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Bedding In process for brakes
A few days ago, someone asked a question which touched upon the bedding-in process for their new disc brakes. Because the question did not have any answer already, I wrote one in which I said that ...
- 9,753
2
votes
1
answer
895
views
Disc brakes on leader doberman which has no tabs and adaptors
I have a leader doberman with a front disc brake that I want to install on the rear. I know that it hasn't a rear disc brake tab, but I have found an adaptor for the caliper (http://www.ebay.com/itm/...
- 21
97
votes
16
answers
30k
views
Why are disc brakes rare on road bikes? (circa 2010) [closed]
Window shopping for road bikes, I can't see many that have disc brakes. What are the reasons for this?
- 2,913
54
votes
16
answers
33k
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 ...
- 1,509
40
votes
6
answers
14k
views
Why are regenerative brakes uncommon on e-bikes?
Few electric bicycles have regenerative braking. Most quality e-bikes seem to be settling on mid-drive, which even makes regenerative braking impossible because there is a freewheel between the wheel ...
- 20.1k
37
votes
10
answers
97k
views
Why don't road bikes use v-brakes?
In my experience, linear pull brakes (v-brakes) have more stopping power than other types of cantilever brakes (let the flames start ;). Modern road bikes always come fitted with dual pivot brakes. ...
- 871
25
votes
3
answers
8k
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 ...
- 2,075
25
votes
3
answers
153k
views
How do I stop my rim brakes making a squeaking/squealing sound?
I bought a Schwinn Frontier Sport few months ago and started riding happily. After a few weeks my front rim brakes started creaking. It's so annoying in public places. My rear brake doesn't produce ...
- 353
22
votes
4
answers
39k
views
How to tighten a brake?
This is probably a really basic question but I'm confused by the whole brake mechanism so...
My left (front wheel) brake has to be pulled in really far before it actually starts to brake (I guess ...
- 323
20
votes
9
answers
9k
views
How many fingers on the brake lever of an MTB?
I have seen people stop with one finger, two fingers or the whole hands on the levers. Is there a recommended number of fingers on the brake levers when stopping/anticipating an emergency stop? Do ...
- 13.9k
20
votes
10
answers
8k
views
How can I safely go downhill on an antique penny-farthing bike?
I recently picked up a vintage penny-farthing (high wheeler) at the flea market and, after restoration, adopted it as my normal mode of transportation.
It works well for the most part, but going ...
- 443
17
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Hydraulic Disc Brakes Maintenance
I have Hayes Nine hydraulic disc brakes on my mountain bike. I have recently replaced the brake pads and after that it seems that the pads are almost touching the rotor.
How can I adjust it?
I have ...
- 941
15
votes
5
answers
64k
views
V-brake arm not returning to "open" position
I have a folding bike with v-brakes and I noticed that when I pull on the rear brake lever, one arm of the v-brake doesn't go back to its original position. I tried adjusting the screws but it still ...
- 837
13
votes
7
answers
96k
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 ...
- 131
13
votes
5
answers
9k
views
What causes and how to fix wandering bite point on Shimano hydraulic brakes?
For the last two months and less than 600 km of riding I have been using a pair of new Shimano SLX BR-M7120 "high power" 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes. Yesterday I have noticed that the bite point of ...
- 746