Hayes Stroker Ryde - Loads of lever travel.

gt-arrowhead

I bought a pair of brand new out of the box Hayes Stroker Ryde disc brakes in the December sales, and i finally got round to fitting them this week, and i used them for 2 hours (commuting) and i found them to be really awful. They were dreadful. It literally travels a good 2-3 cms before it begins to touch the disc. And you had to squeeze fairly hard in order to get any meaningful power out of them. The whole time i was comparing them to my Tektro Auriga comps, which are obviously old, and i got them second hand, and have never maintained them other than changing the pads. I get on well with my Aurigas. Not perfect but very useable. I thought i couldnt go wrong no matter what brake i bought brand new. Very dissapointed.

I also had trouble fitting the front one, as the caliper would hit the brake adapter, so ive had to add a 2mm spacer between the brake adapter and caliper to get it to tighten up, without the caliper hitting the adapter.

The power wasnt really the thing i had a problem with to be honest, it was the ridiculous lever travel before even beginning to brake. It made it nearly impossible to get any modulation, and they just felt pants, which was further compounded by the pretty poor power.

I dont quite understand why they are that bad, does anyone have any recommendation as to why i have so much lever travel from a brand new pair of disc brakes, or how i could reduce the lever travel? The only thing i can think of is adding fluid, but id rather ask before doing anything.

The Rookie

It can a while for brakes to settle with the pads out where they need to be.

As for power, did you degrease the discs before use?

gt-arrowhead

I dont think it will settle if it hasnt settled in 2 hours of riding.

The discs arent new, they are the ones i used with my old set, so no residue to get rid of. The only difference is i have gone from organic pads (old set) to semi-metallic pads which came on the brakes anyway.

D4V1D

Have you adjusted the lever travel, are you sure that the hydraulic line is free or air. I've got Strokers and I know what you mean, I sorted mine by the lever travel.

gt-arrowhead

I have adjusted it 4 times now and it doesnt change the biting point of the brake at all. And it shouldnt do anyway. it makes the lever move, but the actual rod that pushes in the master piston doesnt wind in or out. The lever just moves.



This is the only adjustment i can make.

I think im going to have to attempt adding fluid to it at some point. Im 99% sure there is air/not enough fluid in the system. Im surprised that ive been sold a brake that is not up to scratch. Seriously cannot get my head around how these retail at £150. The £30 i paid is barely worth it, never mind the £150.

chuase05

I had the same issue with 2 sets of strokers a while back both trails, they came out of the box with with alot of lever travel a quick bleed and they were fine and still going strong now 2 years later

gt-arrowhead

Cheers. Thats good to know. Ill post back after ive given it a try.

D4V1D

Yeah I'd go for bleeding the line. Let us know how you get on.