Brakes always rubbing

Sailorchick
Sailorchick Posts: 202
edited July 2009 in The workshop
I have a carrera subway and really having issues with the brakes. No matter how much I alter the brakes (I am learning how to maintain my bike) everytime I get on the bike they rub really badly. Even my husband sorts them out, tells me they are fine and I get halfway to work and they are rubbing again. I've put swapped the pads around as had worn out the rear pads (have had the bike since end of March) so the worn out set is on the front at the moment. Don't really want to put new ones on till sort out the problems. Am I missing something obvious?

Comments

  • mudcovered
    mudcovered Posts: 725
    Sailorchick wrote:
    I have a carrera subway and really having issues with the brakes. No matter how much I alter the brakes (I am learning how to maintain my bike) everytime I get on the bike they rub really badly. Even my husband sorts them out, tells me they are fine and I get halfway to work and they are rubbing again. I've put swapped the pads around as had worn out the rear pads (have had the bike since end of March) so the worn out set is on the front at the moment. Don't really want to put new ones on till sort out the problems. Am I missing something obvious?

    What sort of brakes. Rim brakes? Disc brakes?

    BTW You want your best pads on the front brake as thats the one that provides the most stopping power.

    Mike
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    If they are v-brakes then you need to make sure they are centred and that the return springs are properly installed. The video here shows how to set them up, centering is dealt with right at the end.

    If everything with the brakes is okay, the spoke tension in the wheel could be a bit slack, allowing side to side deflection when you pedal. Suspect this if it only rubs when you put the power down.
  • Bikefotos
    Bikefotos Posts: 59
    If they are v-brakes, then some cheap models do not stay centered, no matter how hard you try!!! Best solution would be to replace the offending item. Try some Avid's, all the models seem to work well and are very reasonably priced.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Bikefotos wrote:
    If they are v-brakes, then some cheap models do not stay centered, no matter how hard you try!!!
    Oh, didn't know this :cry:

    Also, forgot to mention, the cables may be worn or gunky, this could be preventing the brakes releasing from the wheel - unhook the cable from the v-brake and feel if it slides smoothly in the outer. If there is friction or grittiness this will affect the brakes. Cables need cleaning and / or replacing periodically, and the rear brake cable gets a lot of water and gunk going its way.
  • Sailorchick
    Sailorchick Posts: 202
    They are V-brakes.

    Cheers for the link to the bicycle tutor website, that looks really useful. Especially to someone like me who is completely new to bike maintenance and don't want to be dependant on my husband for repairs etc.


    Will also check the cables as suggested as thats something I hadn't thought of.

    I'd put the worn brakes on the front as thought I was best off not relying on the front brakes as I have to stop on a couple of steep downhills for junctions. Should I swap them back then?

    Thank you for all your help and advice.
  • mudcovered
    mudcovered Posts: 725
    Sailorchick wrote:
    They are V-brakes.


    I'd put the worn brakes on the front as thought I was best off not relying on the front brakes as I have to stop on a couple of steep downhills for junctions. Should I swap them back then?

    Depends on how steep the hill is and how confident you are using the front brake. Given that you have worn the rear pads first that suggests you use the rear brake more so you may be better leaving the stronger pads on the rear for now until you get more confident with the front brake. Its just something to be aware of particularly if you have to stop quickly on the flat.

    Might be worth reading this (http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html) article which talks a bit about the front brake being the primary brake.

    Mike
  • the_hundredth_idiot
    the_hundredth_idiot Posts: 813
    Have you got the right spacers/washers? If the brake is always rubbing, swap the spacers around a bit to move the brake pad slightly further away from the wheel rim.

    Before you ride, do make sure that pulling the brake lever will still move the brake pad in far enough to push up against the rim. :shock:
    Never be tempted to race against a Barclays Cycle Hire bike. If you do, there are only two outcomes. Of these, by far the better is that you now have the scalp of a Boris Bike.
  • cyberknight
    cyberknight Posts: 1,238
    Sounds like the brake pads need replacing tbh

    I have the same bike and the standard brake pads on mine were gone in less than 3 months.

    Also had a lot of fun settings them up to run smoothly until i knew how, as people have already said the brakes need setting up so they come back to the centre after braking by altering the tension spring .

    Worn brake pads will bind to the rims , best to replace them and make sure they are on the right way round as some have a front and rear marking to denote i assume what way they go round on the bike.
    Guy at the lbs said he wore a pair of mtb pads out in 1 day of riding i assume he must have had a killer ride , the current ones i have on have lasted a good 9 months and are still fine apart from a little adjustment to allow for wear
    FCN 3/5/9

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