adivce on brakes

alex_p
alex_p Posts: 13
edited June 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
hi guys i have hydralic discs brakes on my gt idrive and they are very weak,
levers feel good just have no braking efficiency at all,
any ideas?

Comments

  • ricardo_smooth
    ricardo_smooth Posts: 1,281
    what brakes? some do feel very wooden
  • alex_p
    alex_p Posts: 13
    Tektro auriga these just dont stop you at all slow you down at best
  • brindlescoops
    brindlescoops Posts: 465
    alex_p wrote:
    Tektro auriga these just dont stop you at all slow you down at best

    I had tektros on my GT. i tried new pads, cleaning rotors, bleeding, etc etc nothing really improved them much, i'm afraid to tell you they are just pants. One thing I did notice is the way you bedded in new pads made the most difference, they had a tendancy to glaze over if you didnt bed them in quickly and this added to the wooden feel. If you want to upgrade, I have Shimano SLX on my new bike and they are awesome, would stop a train and one finger braking is all thats needed.
    My biggest fear is that should I crash, burn and die, my Wife would sell my stuff based upon what I told her I paid for it.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Is this new? Sudden? Been like this for years? Have you changed anything?
    A bit of info helps as they should work fine.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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    Parktools
  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    Are you heavy? I used to know someone with these brakes and they weren't the best but they were solid stoppers. I reckon you've contaminated them or need new pads. As said above we need more info really.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Clean the rotors and fit new pads. Standard contaminated pad symptoms.

    Nothing wrong with the brakes as they can stop me with no issues.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The lad has the same on his P1, not the nicest feel around but quite capable of putting the bike up on it's front wheel, agree with Nick, they are contaminated.

    As a budget fix on the lads when we fitted them we knew they were contaminated, I soaked the pads in petrol for an hour, cleaned them, put in the oven for 30 minutes on maximum and then roughen the surface back from looking glazed to 'natural' with some sandpaper, clean the discs as well, use either just slightly soapy water or iso-prop' alcohol if you have it.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Uli
    Uli Posts: 190
    I have Tektro Auriga and tbh I can't see much difference in stopping compared to other price range similar brakes. They lock wheels on the tarmac with no issue. If you have ever contaminated them then forget about cleaning pads- replace and give rotor a bit of sanding.
  • 386ka
    386ka Posts: 479
    You won't do much from sanding the rotor - just clean it well with IPA or some brand brake cleaner.

    As for the pads, you may be able to salvage them, you may not. If you heat treat them, they may become more brittle and wear out faster. Just, I wouldn't stick them in the oven, burn them with burner if you can.

    Cheers.
    A much loved, Giant Trance X3 2010
  • Uli
    Uli Posts: 190
    Yes, scrubbing with washing up liquid, putting into the dishwasher (the one that belongs to your mother-in-law is the best), oven treatment, setting them on fire, caustic soda bath and 100s other ideas. I like my bike with proper brakes so for a £10 it is a pair of new ones for me :)
  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    Uli wrote:
    caustic soda bath
    :shock:
  • Uli
    Uli Posts: 190
    bennett_346 wrote:
    Uli wrote:
    caustic soda bath
    :shock:
    A piece of advice given on one of the MTB forums- no further comments from me :)
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    We wanted to test the lads brakes quickly, so rather than go off buying pads we tried my ghetto solution, worked, so still using the pads.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • alex_p
    alex_p Posts: 13
    thanks for the replys I have cleaned discs and will replace pads and hopefully that will solve my problems

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