Help. I can't stop.

The title might have suggested an interesting topic, but sadly not so.
Can anyone explain to me why my brakes don't work. Since swapping out shimano pads for swissstop greens a few months ago, my stopping distance has been so bad it's sometimes scary. It's so bad that I have now snapped a 4 month old cable by pulling too hard on it. The pads are the right way around, on the right sides, etc. The levers and calipers are 105s and worked great with the old pads. The rims are (were) brand new Mavic Ksyrium Elites. What can be wrong?
Is it something to do with the seating? Should there be some toe in/out? If oil has got onto the rims/pads how can that be eliminated completely?
Can anyone explain to me why my brakes don't work. Since swapping out shimano pads for swissstop greens a few months ago, my stopping distance has been so bad it's sometimes scary. It's so bad that I have now snapped a 4 month old cable by pulling too hard on it. The pads are the right way around, on the right sides, etc. The levers and calipers are 105s and worked great with the old pads. The rims are (were) brand new Mavic Ksyrium Elites. What can be wrong?
Is it something to do with the seating? Should there be some toe in/out? If oil has got onto the rims/pads how can that be eliminated completely?
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Posts
Cube Attain
Give your rim a good clean, fnar. Or new bike, naturally.
CAAD12 Disc
Condor Tempo
If you have got oil into the pad material it's very difficult to completely eliminate it. You need a solvent that won't affect the rubber.
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
Feeling a bit left behind my scaly friend? Heads up for you: I'm off the bike today and probably tomorrow, and you'll have a 3 week window during March in which to catch up.
after lubing the chain up i give the bike a spray with GT85 because A. it smells lovely B. it makes everything super shiny & fresh from the shop look
i might have sprayed gt85 all over my rims too as my brakes had all the power of a wet lettuce...made my ride home interesting to say the least
i remember when men were real men an used cabled gears....an when they used canti brakes
pffft modern men, i bet you even moisturize aswell dont you
LMFAO - at the moment I'm on the MTB/Spiker combo because I ride through all weathers 8)
Funny you should say about moisturizer. Mrs MRS said only the other day that I should think about it because my face is looking so weather-beaten. Instead I just use a big tub of MTFU
Everyone else pinches the end and rolls them down. PS that bit shouldn't be considered a race).
In seriousness, take your wheels out and wash them. Liberally coat the braking track, rim etc with water soluble degreaser, work with an old toothbrush then rinse. Then repeat but with either a technical bike wash (or in my cheap wheels' case, washing up liquid). Rinse thoroughly. Dry any drivetrain parts that get wet (drip dry is fine for the rims).
Then clean up the pads - again, soap or bikewash and a toothbrush to agitate.
Its worked a treat for me in the past. And yes, toe in.
It's always summer down there - it's what makes you sooooo soft :roll:
That's what Icelanders say about you
I think it's more likely for an Icelander to say
Winter bike
Speak for yourself, I never wash my kit.
Has one advantage...even the cars give me a wide berth!!!
Châteauneuf .51 a fine tipple....
2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
2011 Trek Madone 4.5
2012 Felt F65X
Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
How tight are the block to the rim, I've found that too tight (not rubbing just close) result in underwelming brake performance. Take them back a couple of mm and I get more leverage and better braking. I think this has something to do with mechanical advantage, but I must of been asleep in applied maths and or physics class that day so I don't quite understand it...
Chris
Genesis Equilibrium - FCN 3/4/5
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
Which, given that I've just snapped a 4 month old cable, probably isn't the issue.
I fear the pads are royally screwed with oil, so will probably just buy some more. Wish I wasn't so drawn to those lovely shiny rainbow puddles.
So, the next question has to be; where can I find the cheapest greens today?
I've heard of Power Awesome (TM) before, but never Wrist Power Awesome....
Just saying...
On Strava.{/url}
retired 9.6kg Carrera Kraken
The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's!
The Sons Scott Genius RC20 build