Avid Elixir brakes-too much juice?

Mayniac
Mayniac Posts: 174
edited January 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
Got a Boardman ( Pause for abuse...) with the Avid Elixir brakes. I'm having a problem with the front brake binding, i.e. the pads are permanently rubbing.

I take the pads out for cleaning after a ride;

Been through the Park Tools manual, done the bit about pushing the pistons back into the caliper; Remount the wheel and it runs fine. After applying the brakes, they keep on rubbing.

Done the 'loosening of the mounting bolts, laggy band on the lever and retighten' thing.

The rear brake's fine. Could there be too much fluid in the front brake? Is this a common problem?

Any advice (other than 'avoid Halfords' type ) gratefully received. :)
This is not 'Nam, Smokey. This is bowling. There are rules.

Comments

  • aaronmroach
    aaronmroach Posts: 341
    Are they elixir cr's or r's or 5's??

    If they have pad adjustment via a dial on the lever wind it all the way off.

    I had similar problems with my Elixir R carbons when I first got them, I bled the system through after advice on here after that they were fine.

    Bleed procedure

    http://www.pinkbike.com/news/tech-tuesd ... -2010.html
  • Mayniac
    Mayniac Posts: 174
    They're the r's. I'll have a go at bleeding them, when I get the kit.
    Thanks for the reply.
    This is not 'Nam, Smokey. This is bowling. There are rules.
  • twonks
    twonks Posts: 352
    I have the same brakes and my rear seemed to start rubbing out of nowhere.

    In the end I bled them with the propper kit and they now work fine.

    As long as you don't pull the syringe back too far and introduce a load of air into the sysem, then bleed instructions are very precise and work well.
  • Patterdale
    Patterdale Posts: 35
    Nothing wrong with Boardman bikes.

    For the money you wont get a better bargain.

    Doug
    One life, live it
    SWCC
  • mattv
    mattv Posts: 992
    These avids are like this regularly, especially it seemed on the boardmans. A good bleed normally sorts it.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    How can it make any difference what bike they are on. The brakes are a sealed system.
    I don't do smileys.

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  • mattv
    mattv Posts: 992
    However some OEM parts are lower quality than aftermarket.
  • heez29
    heez29 Posts: 612
    cooldad wrote:
    How can it make any difference what bike they are on. The brakes are a sealed system.

    He's right, most BBL with Elixer R's the back brake will have too much fluid.

    I've maybe came across 5 or 6 where the back brake lever had 1mm of movement.
  • mattv
    mattv Posts: 992
    I have had worse than that. Was these experiences that put me off Avids for years. Not til I got my Spesh last month did I regain faith.
  • heez29
    heez29 Posts: 612
    mattv wrote:
    I have had worse than that. Was these experiences that put me off Avids for years. Not til I got my Spesh last month did I regain faith.

    Nah Juicys were constantly spongy and had a shit tonne of air in them that put me off.

    Got some elixirs now though ready to be put on me bike though ;)
  • heez29
    heez29 Posts: 612
    mattv wrote:
    I have had worse than that. Was these experiences that put me off Avids for years. Not til I got my Spesh last month did I regain faith.

    Nah Juicys were constantly spongy and had a shit tonne of air in them that put me off.

    Got some elixirs now though ready to be put on me bike though ;)

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