Lack of power on Avid Juicy 5s?

dgowenlock · June 2007

The disc brakes (Avid Juicy 5) on my new Stumpjumper have not really impressed me in terms of their stopping performance. I can't even lock the rear wheel when cycling at normal speed on a tarmac road, and I swear I could do with my old V brakes.

So my question is, can you lock your rear wheel whilst riding sitting down at average speed on a tarmac road?

Many thanks,
Dave

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nicklouse · June 2007

how long have you had the bike? and the brakes?

nick
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BJT · June 2007

You should be able to! I can on mine... What's the travel like on the lever - will it go all the way to the handlebar grip? If so, possibly need bleeding?

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dgowenlock · June 2007

Bikes 3 months old, done approx 300 miles and pads were bedded in under LBS instructions. The front one feels snappier than the rear and the lever doesn't touch the grip. The rear one does touch grip if I pull hard enough, and it makes a slight 'squelching' noise as I release it. It simply feels like its not gripping, sqeeze as hard as I can and the bike keeps going...

Cleaned rotors with slovent and roughened pads slightly as they were a little glazed - this had no effect. Never had discs before so don't know what a lever feels like when it needs to be bled?

Many thanks for any advice/suggestions,
Dave

2007 Specialized Stumpjumper HT Comp | EA70 low risers

Big Red S · June 2007

Has it had it's first free service yet?

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nicklouse · June 2007

sounds like the lever needs ad justing and posibly the caliper re aligning. get it checked out.

Oh what solvent did you use? did the pads go back into the same places? and have you given the pads time to bed back in?

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Noodoo · June 2007

thinking about how hydraulic brakes work in general, i'd say that if you encounter resistance in the lever at the normal position, but can put some effort in and manage to pull the lever back to the bar, then it sounds like it needs bleeding.

for reference; I can lock the rear wheel when sat down on tarmac... and I have crappy Tektro Io Mecahinical discs...

dgowenlock · June 2007

It has had its free service, and I took it to the LBS but they said nothings wrong. The pads should have bedded back in as I went to Cannock Chase on them with no change.

I used to clean the rotors, and left them overnght as to not contaminate the pads. Pads went back in fine, but I might have swapped front/back pads, does this matter? Does a re-bled come under the guarentee?

Thanks so much, you are all being so helpful!

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nicklouse · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Noodoo

thinking about how hydraulic brakes work in general, i'd say that if you encounter resistance in the lever at the normal position, but can put some effort in and manage to pull the lever back to the bar, then it sounds like it needs bleeding.

for reference; I can lock the rear wheel when sat down on tarmac... and I have crappy Tektro Io Mecahinical discs...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

not allways. poor set ups have the same feel. as do pads that are not bedded in.

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nicklouse · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dgowenlock

It has had its free service, and I took it to the LBS but they said nothings wrong. The pads should have bedded back in as I went to Cannock Chase on them with no change.

I used to clean the rotors, and left them overnght as to not contaminate the pads. Pads went back in fine, but I might have swapped front/back pads, does this matter? Does a re-bled come under the guarentee?

Thanks so much, you are all being so helpful!

2007 Specialized Stumpjumper HT Comp | EA70 low risers
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

what did you use to clean the rotors.

rebleed not normally under warrenty.

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dgowenlock · June 2007

Cleaned the rotors with Cellulose thinner, its 100% solvent like this one: http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/b/BIRCELT/

"poor set ups have the same feel. as do pads that are not bedded in." What is a poor set up? I can't find anything in the manual about adjusting the brakes other than the lever reach adjustment.

Many thanks Nick

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rubber side up · June 2007

Undo the bolts on the top of the caliper, so it can move side to side, apply brake and re tighten bolts. may be a badly aligned caliper

Otherwise, i'd try a new set of pads. just to see if that helps

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nicklouse · June 2007

read it? http://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/95- ... %20pdf.pdf please do.

also i dont think Cellulose thinner is the best thing to use iirc it does leave a residue behind on evaporation.

Isopropyl alcohol is the best to use or meths for cleaning the rotors of oil or grease.

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grommet · June 2007

my juicy 5's did this before. i think the pads were slightly contaminated. after about 5 or so runs on my local downhill track they seemed ok though. the rear lever one still comes it quite far but i can still abbubica with it and the power from both breaks is pritty awesome.

rubber side up · June 2007

Abubaca*

<hr noshade size="1"><center><blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by EvilAlex

Something round here tastes bad. Could be plain old bad taste.
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grommet · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rubber side up

Abubaca*

<hr noshade size="1"><center><blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by EvilAlex

Something round here tastes bad. Could be plain old bad taste.
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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

ah, thanks...

dgowenlock · June 2007

As I mentioned, the problem was there before cleaning pads and rotors so don't think this is the issue. Thanks for the heads up on the cellulose thinner Nick, the LBS said any solvent will do, and the bottle said 100% solvent! I'll get some IPA for next time

I had read the manual but thanks for the link to an online version.

All this info you guys have armed me with has made me realise something is definatly wrong. Off to the LBS this afternoon to see if they can find out whats causing the issues. Also gives me an excuse to try out some EBC pads

Thanks again all, I'll post the updates later.
Dave

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nicklouse · June 2007

it could just be a case that the fluid need a de-gas.

nick
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Noodoo · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">

not allways. poor set ups have the same feel. as do pads that are not bedded in.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Noted, cheers.

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dgowenlock · June 2007

Originally posted by nicklouse

it could just be a case that the fluid need a de-gas.

nick

Spot on Nick! The LBS said the rear had some air in it as it as the lever was pulling too far back. They must be generous as they have booked it in for a free bleed

Many thanks to everyone who posted, was my first post. This place rocks!
Dave

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Lack of power on Avid Juicy 5s?

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