Disc brakes - a bit rubbish?

Clairus
Clairus Posts: 12
edited September 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
Hello all,

I've just fitted hydraulic disc brakes to my bike and they're not very good? It stops fine, but doesn't grab all that well. Do they need to bed in, or is something wrong?

Thanks
Claire

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    what brakes?

    you fitted or shop?

    they will need bedding in. a good ride or two should sort it.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Clairus
    Clairus Posts: 12
    They're Shimano Deore brakes. My dad fitted them, he's not a bike expert but he has good mechanical knowledge. They work, and they stop almost as well as the V-brakes I've taken off, but to be fair, the V's were not as good as my last bike (one of the reason for fitting the discs). I've only done about half a mile (if that) so I'll give them a bit more of a chance!

    Thanks :)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Give them the weekend at least.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • dave_s
    dave_s Posts: 4,362
    Most disc brakes are a bit bobbins at first.
    Go for a muddy ride or two and the power will increase as the pads bed in.
    Sometimes pouring water on the pads and braking speeds up the process of bedding in but it's easier just to hit the trails and do it that way
    Dave S
  • Ciaran500
    Ciaran500 Posts: 348
    dave_s wrote:
    Most disc brakes are a bit bobbins at first.
    Go for a muddy ride or two and the power will increase as the pads bed in.
    Don't go anywhere near mud with new pads, they will be gone in an instant.
    My Meta 5.5.2 :D
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Ciaran500 wrote:
    dave_s wrote:
    Most disc brakes are a bit bobbins at first.
    Go for a muddy ride or two and the power will increase as the pads bed in.
    Don't go anywhere near mud with new pads, they will be gone in an instant.
    why?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Ciaran500
    Ciaran500 Posts: 348
    I've seen it mentioned on here and on other forums. Also read a few reviews on CRC and MBR where people went out on their first ride with new pads through mud and completely stripping them.
    My Meta 5.5.2 :D
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    more to do with the mud and braking style than new pads.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • alaric@epicmtb
    alaric@epicmtb Posts: 80
    Did you face the disc mounts before fitting? (This is a process of making sure that the mounting points are perfectly flat and parallel to each other and the disc). It depends both on your frame and brakes just how critical this is.

    If your brakes don't improve after the pads have had time to bed in, pop in to your LBS and ask them to face the mounts. Or buy the Hope kit to do it yourself - not good value as a one off, but a good longer term investment.

    Alaric.
  • Clairus
    Clairus Posts: 12
    I've checked with my dad. He's not familiar with 'facing' the mounts, but he said he followed the instructions by pulling the brake lever with the caliper mounting bolts loose, then tightening them up. The discs seem to be wearing as I would expect and they are getting a bit better.

    I've got a cold/flu or something at the moment so can't really go out on it :(

    Thanks for all the input.
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,650
    I am sure they will be fine - I just bought some Avid Codes, they are a very powerful brake. The first time I went out on them they didn't feel anything special and I thought "what's all the fuss about" but after two days of riding they got better and better and now they could stop you on a dime.

    V Brakes are very definite, you pull the lever and if they are set up properly they stop you, hydro's are much better (in my opinion anyway) and take a bit of getting used to.

    It's all about the set up and the modulation (which is probably what you're finding weird)

    Assuming your dad has set them up right (I am sure he has!) it's probably best to get used to them and then they will bed in over the next few rides.

    What I do (and probably not the best thing to do!) is get a lot of speed up (preferably downhill) and apply the brakes HARD a few times (but please don't go over the bars :wink: ) to speed up the bedding in process.....

    If the Avids on my bike didn't feel strong on my first outing - you's defo won't.

    They will be cool as Colin the cucumber in a week or so.

    If not, come back and we will try to help you.. or should I rephrase that and say Niclouse will try to help you :lol:
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    Cheesey wrote:
    They will be cool as Colin the cucumber in a week or so.
    Colin the Cucumber! :D hehehe What are you like Cheesey :D
  • pagettypol
    pagettypol Posts: 9
    This sounds similar to the problem I'm having. I've changed the pads and discs on my Deore mechanical disc brakes, but I just can't seem to get the rear one right, even after bedding them in a bit.

    Whats facing? Is that something to do with righting straight the plate behind the brake pads
  • alaric@epicmtb
    alaric@epicmtb Posts: 80
    Facing is the process of cutting a very small amount of material (ideally just the paint) away from the face where the caliper fits against the frame.

    This is done using a tool that bolts into the dropouts, holding a very sharp cutter in the precise alignment required to ensure that the two mounts are perfectly aligned to each other and parallel to the disc.

    It depends on how accurately the frame was manufactured and how smooth the paint is over the mount how necessary it is, but it is worth doing.

    If the mounts aren't right it's virtually impossible to get the caliper properly aligned.

    Alaric.
  • Neily03
    Neily03 Posts: 295
    Ciaran500 wrote:
    I've seen it mentioned on here and on other forums. Also read a few reviews on CRC and MBR where people went out on their first ride with new pads through mud and completely stripping them.

    Its best to take most things read on the tinterwebnet with a largish pinch of salt. :wink:
    Transition Covert.
  • baccaman21
    baccaman21 Posts: 523
    Neily03 wrote:
    Ciaran500 wrote:
    I've seen it mentioned on here and on other forums. Also read a few reviews on CRC and MBR where people went out on their first ride with new pads through mud and completely stripping them.

    Its best to take most things read on the tinterwebnet with a largish pinch of salt. :wink:

    Nicely undermined there... good work fella.
    get on your bikes and ride!
  • Neily03
    Neily03 Posts: 295
    baccaman21 wrote:
    Neily03 wrote:
    Ciaran500 wrote:
    I've seen it mentioned on here and on other forums. Also read a few reviews on CRC and MBR where people went out on their first ride with new pads through mud and completely stripping them.

    Its best to take most things read on the tinterwebnet with a largish pinch of salt. :wink:

    Nicely undermined there... good work fella.

    :lol::lol:
    Transition Covert.

Categories