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Crap brakes in the wet
So it's reasonable to expect that your brakes won't work as well when
the rim has been lubricated with water compared to dry conditions, but I was just wondering if there is such a thing as a "wet weather" brake pad which one could swap in over the winter months? Something made from a special material perhaps which grips a wet rim a bit better. My road bike's brakes aren't fantastic when it is wet, but the mountain bike's breaks are simply atrocious. It's your basic cantilever design and they're horrible. I've tried to tighten them up,but even still the amount of gripping force they exert isn't very good, I can push the bike and roll the wheels while applying the brakes, and they have lousy stopping power (even in the dry) when I'm actually riding. Plus they make a lot of noise. Perhaps just a new set of pads would make a big difference to my MTB, but I was wondering if after market brake calipers could help. Any advice would be welcomed! Travis |
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#2
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Crap brakes in the wet
On 20/05/2011 3:39 PM, Travis wrote:
So it's reasonable to expect that your brakes won't work as well when the rim has been lubricated with water compared to dry conditions, but I was just wondering if there is such a thing as a "wet weather" brake pad which one could swap in over the winter months? Something made from a special material perhaps which grips a wet rim a bit better. Hm, "wet weather" brakes, eh? Never heard of them but then there are lotsa things I have not heard of. My road bike's brakes aren't fantastic when it is wet, but the mountain bike's breaks are simply atrocious. It's your basic cantilever design and they're horrible. Maybe it is only an adjustment you need. Or maybe you only need to remove the pads and just lightly sand them down with some fine-grade sand paper to expose some fresh and unglazed rubber. I've tried to tighten them up,but even still the amount of gripping force they exert isn't very good, I can push the bike and roll the wheels while applying the brakes, and they have lousy stopping power (even in the dry) when I'm actually riding. Plus they make a lot of noise. Squealing? Could be due to glazing on the pads. I had a similar problem on one of my other bikes and after the sanding trick and some adjustments, the gripping power of the pads improved sinificantly. Perhaps just a new set of pads would make a big difference to my MTB, but I was wondering if after market brake calipers could help. If there is still lotsa "meat" on the pads, it would be a shame to replace them - I'd try sanding them lightly first. A fellow once suggested wiping the rim with some metho to remove any oils and grease which may be present prior to re-installing your freshly re-surfaced pads. Note that a well-trued wheel is also a big help making sure your pads grip the wheel equally on both sides Any advice would be welcomed! I am sure others here in the newsgroup may have better suggestions as there are some cluey ones lurking around. |
#3
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Crap brakes in the wet
On 20/05/2011 3:39 PM, Travis wrote:
So it's reasonable to expect that your brakes won't work as well when the rim has been lubricated with water compared to dry conditions, but I was just wondering if there is such a thing as a "wet weather" brake pad which one could swap in over the winter months? Something made from a special material perhaps which grips a wet rim a bit better. You can get different compounds for the pads. My road bike's brakes aren't fantastic when it is wet, but the mountain bike's breaks are simply atrocious. It's your basic cantilever design and they're horrible. Same here different compounds. or you have a cheap brand of brake which came with cheap pads. I had Shimano XT brakes on my MTB they were always good. Have now changed to disc on the front and its a much better proposition no grit, squeals etc yet the braking power is not a savage - been over the bars on more than one occasion with the cantilevers. I've tried to tighten them up,but even still the amount of gripping force they exert isn't very good, I can push the bike and roll the wheels while applying the brakes, and they have lousy stopping power (even in the dry) when I'm actually riding. Plus they make a lot of noise. Perhaps just a new set of pads would make a big difference to my MTB, but I was wondering if after market brake calipers could help. Suggest the option of XT brakes is worth a look at. or a bike shop may suggest an equivalent. Any advice would be welcomed! Travis |
#4
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Crap brakes in the wet
Travis wrote:
So it's reasonable to expect that your brakes won't work as well when the rim has been lubricated with water compared to dry conditions, Yes. but I was just wondering if there is such a thing as a "wet weather" brake pad Not specifically. all you can realy do is try out different brakes pads on your bicycle. caveat, what works for someone else, may not work/as well for yours; different rim surfaces, different batch, etc. and they have lousy stopping power (even in the dry) when I'm actually riding. Try different pads. Plus they make a lot of noise. That is just a pedestrian warning device. Perhaps just a new set of pads would make a big difference to my MTB, but I was wondering if after market brake calipers could help. Well, if the were cheap shop specials, most probably, but you could spend more than the bicycle was purchased for. OTOH, that is a way to upgrade to a better bicycle. Caveat,i'm not sure how much you can mix bits these days. |
#5
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Crap brakes in the wet
"Travis" wrote
So it's reasonable to expect that your brakes won't work as well when the rim has been lubricated with water compared to dry conditions, but I was just wondering if there is such a thing as a "wet weather" brake pad which one could swap in over the winter months? Something made from a special material perhaps which grips a wet rim a bit better. Not really My road bike's brakes aren't fantastic when it is wet, but the mountain bike's breaks are simply atrocious. It's your basic cantilever design and they're horrible. Basic cantilever works pretty well on my MTB. I've tried to tighten them up,but even still the amount of gripping force they exert isn't very good, I can push the bike and roll the wheels while applying the brakes, and they have lousy stopping power (even in the dry) when I'm actually riding. Plus they make a lot of noise. Adjust them so that the front of the pad has a slight toe-in, so that the leading edge of the pad contacts first. Perhaps just a new set of pads would make a big difference to my MTB, Cheap pads do not work! Theo |
#6
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Crap brakes in the wet
On Thu, 19 May 2011 22:39:18 -0700 (PDT), Travis wrote:
So it's reasonable to expect that your brakes won't work as well when the rim has been lubricated with water compared to dry conditions, but I was just wondering if there is such a thing as a "wet weather" brake pad which one could swap in over the winter months? Something made from a special material perhaps which grips a wet rim a bit better. Besser block and some rope... |
#7
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Crap brakes in the wet
On 21/05/2011 2:54 PM, Theo Bekkers wrote:
"Travis" wrote I've tried to tighten them up,but even still the amount of gripping force they exert isn't very good, I can push the bike and roll the wheels while applying the brakes, and they have lousy stopping power (even in the dry) when I'm actually riding. Plus they make a lot of noise. Adjust them so that the front of the pad has a slight toe-in, so that the leading edge of the pad contacts first. A slight toe-in on the leading edge? Hm, I would have tort that getting the trailing end of the pad to catch first might be better as there would not be any "digging-in" effect from the leading edge, which can result in juddering(?). Maybe I am thinking about a brand new pad with nice sharply defined edges. Anyway, I guess after a few goes, the leading edge of the pad would probably round off due to abrasion and pressure would, then, be applied gradually back along the contact area of the pad onto the rim. For the record, I try to align my brake pads as close as and as parallel as possible to the rim - which never really quite work out that way, ever Assuming, of cos, that one has a reasonably trued wheel. |
#8
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Crap brakes in the wet
"Geoff Lock" wrote
On 21/05/2011 2:54 PM, Theo Bekkers wrote: Adjust them so that the front of the pad has a slight toe-in, so that the leading edge of the pad contacts first. A slight toe-in on the leading edge? Hm, I would have tort that getting the trailing end of the pad to catch first might be better as there would not be any "digging-in" effect from the leading edge, which can result in juddering(?). Maybe I am thinking about a brand new pad with nice sharply defined edges. Ahh sorry, by leading edge I meant the end facing towards the front of the bike. As you corrected me, that is indeed the trailing edge of the brake. Theo |
#9
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Crap brakes in the wet
"Rob" wrote in message ... On 20/05/2011 3:39 PM, Travis wrote: So it's reasonable to expect that your brakes won't work as well when the rim has been lubricated with water compared to dry conditions, but I was just wondering if there is such a thing as a "wet weather" brake pad which one could swap in over the winter months? Something made from a special material perhaps which grips a wet rim a bit better. You can get different compounds for the pads. Also, old pads are crap. Replace them before they feel like cement blocks... Shirley Nott. |
#10
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Crap brakes in the wet
Travis wrote:
So it's reasonable to expect that your brakes won't work as well when the rim has been lubricated with water compared to dry conditions, but I was just wondering if there is such a thing as a "wet weather" brake pad which one could swap in over the winter months? Something made from a special material perhaps which grips a wet rim a bit better. Kool-Stop makes a special pad compound for wet weather - the Kool-Stop Salmon range. Sheldon Brown was a vocal advocate, and for dry weather use as well: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakeshoes.html I've used them for years on our rim-brake bikes, and can vouch for their wet performance. If they don't grip, nothing will. At least at one stage, Kool-Stop also made a red pad. These are not the same compound. Simply put, the Salmon pads contain the magic ingredient: rust. They can be found occasionally in Australian LBSs. John |
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