Avid Juicy 3 spongey feel. Bleed needed? And building advice

Muddy1182

Evening.

Went out for a ride last night, and found that my brakes seem very soft. I have to full the lever back quite far before anything happens. I fitted new pads about 6 rides ago. And they have only been small ones 15-20 ish miles max.

I have never had them bled before, so do you reckon that's it? And if so how easy is it to do? I have found this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Avid-Juicy-3-4-5-7-Elixir-Code-Bleed-Kit-5-1-Fluid-/180570636285?pt=UK_Spots_Leisure_Cycling_Tools_RepairKits&hash=item2a0ad93ffd#ht_2049wt_1139 and wondered if this is any good.

Also, just about to build myself a commuting hardtail. Have all the parts, any clues or tips as to what order to build it in? And any good sites to help with the build?

Thanks for m=now.

nicklouse

are the rotors being moved by the pads?

was the feel fine before? if yes they you just need to get them bedded in better or you have a sticky piston/ misaligned caliper.

and the FAQs are full of info
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12627966

diy

Apparently they have push on nipples, which can pop off when you neg pressure the fluid to get the air out.

I have a genuine avid kit, so am only passing on what people say. The avid kit has screw on nipples and I haven't had any problems. Don't think it justifies the extra 20 quid tho.

building advice really depends on what you need to do on the headset and cups etc..

but I would start with the frame, headset, forks, groupset and then add everything else after.

Muddy1182

They were a tad soft before. But the pads had just hit metal, so changed them, then after a couple of rides they were fine, then another 4 rides and last night i didn't think i was going to stop. No the rotors don't move?? ( Only changed rear pads, as front still seem ok. )

Help.

diy

could be contamination if they wont stop you.

Anonymous

Try using rope or cable ties to tie the levers to the bars, locked on hard, and leave it over night. In the morning, take off and pump the levers a bit and maybe take it for a little ride and see how well they work. If they don't go as near to the bars and bite harder then probably it just needed bleeding.

This may even work as a bit of a bleed. If it goes spongy again within a few rides then probably needs a full bleed.

As for the kits, the genuine is expensive but it just works. No hassle with push fit stuff and fluid leaking all over the place (and dot fluid is nasty stuff to be spilling about). Comes with the screw fittings & spacers for avid brakes.

Muddy1182

Thanks for the advice. Will give it ago and report back.

konadawg

Muddy1182 wrote:

I have to full the lever back quite far before anything happens. .

Try adjusting the lever position first (allen key inside the blade).

Avids don't tend to be as "sharp" as some other brakes so if there is a bit of extra in-out movement of the pistons, you could get what you describe, the bite point being very low.

"9 out of 10 bikers agree" lol... most aviders I know who had this problem were happy with this fix, before you get all oily and bleedy.

Muddy1182

Muddy1182 wrote:


I have to full the lever back quite far before anything happens. .


Try adjusting the lever position first (allen key inside the blade).

Avids don't tend to be as "sharp" as some other brakes so if there is a bit of extra in-out movement of the pistons, you could get what you describe, the bite point being very low.

"9 out of 10 bikers agree" lol... most aviders I know who had this problem were happy with this fix, before you get all oily and bleedy.

Ok, will give that ago tomorrow morning. Cheers