Scarily rubbish brakes on new bike!

rodgers73

Just got my new bike - Spcialised Sectuer Sport 2010 model - and took it round the block to try it out. The brakes are awful! Really poor stopping power - is this to be expected with new pads?? Or are they just rubbish ones? They're an unknown brand and I'm comparing them to kool stop continentals on my old bike.

jeremyrundle

Have you given them time to bed in, you are even advised with new car brakes to drive sensibly for the first 50 - 100 miles.

Have you read the similar thread, simply use search.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14847734

rodgers73

Ah, thanks. This is my first ever new bike, and I'd never even thought you'd need to bed in new pads - hence the lack of searching.

Mr Plum

I found this with my Tricross Sport when it was new. The pads are now definitely bedded in but I'm still not happy with the stopping power. Much has been said about the standard brakes on the Tricross... I'm going to change the pads to kool stops before I do some touring with loaded panniers.

jeremyrundle

Take pads out, with CLEAN oil free hands and place on clean surface, using find glasspaper gently rub lining to roughen and replace pads.

stevie_90210

I had a Specialized Allez Elite and had the same problem. The brakes never improved until they were over 50% worn and I replaced teh brake pads with some decent ones.

I'd suggest changing the brake pads to some decent ones.

biondino

Mr Plum wrote:

I found this with my Tricross Sport when it was new. The pads are now definitely bedded in but I'm still not happy with the stopping power. Much has been said about the standard brakes on the Tricross... I'm going to change the pads to kool stops before I do some touring with loaded panniers.

You have a tricross? Find out what pads they use on a Sherman tank and try them.

andrewc3142

Koolstop salmon or Swiss green. Both good. Standard pads are always rubbish in my experience, esp in the wet.