Roval Brake Track

bomster
bomster Posts: 202
edited September 2015 in Road general
Evening all,

Got myself a lovely Specialized Allez last week, managed to put 150 miles on it, all in the dry, but for some reason the carbon brake track now looks very white/discoloured. Is this normal?

Sort of spoils the aesthetics of the wheels for me... :(

Any ideas whats going on?

Wheels are Roval CL40's fyi, identical to the CLX40's other than hubs I believe. Also, I've been using the Swisstop Black Prince pads as included.

Please ignore my Marvel pyjama bottoms :oops: .

Rear wheel:
knTJ3t9.jpg

Front wheel:
lDK9XDc.jpg

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Nothing showing.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • bomster
    bomster Posts: 202
    Nothing showing.

    Updated post, cheers for the heads up.
  • It's either scratched resin or it's a layer of pads rubber which is depositing on the resin. Brake tracks rarely look attractive
    left the forum March 2023
  • bomster
    bomster Posts: 202
    It's either scratched resin or it's a layer of pads rubber which is depositing on the resin. Brake tracks rarely look attractive

    Can you recommend anything to clean it off with? Only used baby wipes so far. Cheers.
  • It's either scratched resin or it's a layer of pads rubber which is depositing on the resin. Brake tracks rarely look attractive

    Can you recommend anything to clean it off with? Only used baby wipes so far. Cheers.

    I can recommend NOT to clean it
    left the forum March 2023
  • Too late now but don't use baby wipes - they will leave an oily coating which will not help you stop!

    If you've got some isopropyl alcohol around then that will get them properly clean again (careful to keep to the brake track only to avoid removing any decals), failing that some soapy water will do.

    The bottom pic looks normal to me, the top one less so - it looks like it's been attacked by sandpaper. Hard to tell in a picture (you will be able to tell when you run a finger over it) but if it is just pad rubber it should clean off, if it's rim wear it's worth talking to your retailer before riding it again in case there is a problem with pads or rim.
  • I have a pair of Roval CLX 60's, they do exactly the same as yours after long rides, a white residue appears. It has never bothered me, it doesn't affect the braking in any way and easily wipes off.
    “Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.” Hunter S Thompson
  • I'm surprised this has happened with the SS Black pads, I has the yellow pads and it left a yellow mark around my mavics, like you this wasn't appealing, I tried IPA and acetone, nothing worked, in the end I found I could use a rubber (a good strong one) to literally run it off, this took ages though so once I get it all off I went with the black pads and since its been fine, no residue visible.

    Be aware though that you're effectively wearing out the brake track by doing this so done do it too often.

    Edit - although on your wheels this may happen naturally as you ride more and the pads wear into the surface.

    There's also a dedicated rubber you can buy for this but I forgot the name of it. Either way I just used a good stiff rubber bought from asda
    One plays football, tennis or golf, one does not play at cycling
  • Mavic rim rubber, about £8/9 but they are quite big (small cigarette pack size) and last for years.
  • debeli
    debeli Posts: 583
    I see some effective (but laborious) cures in the posts above, but nobody to date has offered a preventive measure.

    Don't use the brakes.

    You 'problem' is caused by friction between pad and rim when the brake is applied by pulling on the handlebar-mounted lever.

    If you do not pull that lever, there will be no contact, no friction and no marks.

    Alternatively, you could try to concentrate on enjoying the sensation of cycling and try to ignore the gradual aesthetic changes that will come to your steed with falls, bumps, contact with heavy chains, road debris and yes... even its own brakes.

    It is just a bicycle. They do get grubby.
  • bomster
    bomster Posts: 202
    I see some effective (but laborious) cures in the posts above, but nobody to date has offered a preventive measure.

    Don't use the brakes.

    You 'problem' is caused by friction between pad and rim when the brake is applied by pulling on the handlebar-mounted lever.

    If you do not pull that lever, there will be no contact, no friction and no marks.

    Alternatively, you could try to concentrate on enjoying the sensation of cycling and try to ignore the gradual aesthetic changes that will come to your steed with falls, bumps, contact with heavy chains, road debris and yes... even its own brakes.

    It is just a bicycle. They do get grubby.

    Think I'll adopt this mentality. Just over precious what with it being brand new and all.

    Would try and clean it off but by the sounds of it I will just be wearing the wheels for no reason other than aesthetics.

    Cheers for everyones input.