Bike Commuting

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I just tightened the brakes on my bike (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 months ago by bruhbeans@lemmy.ml to c/bikecommuting@lemmy.ml

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Cable disc brakes. I kept putting it off but it was riding like shit and didn't feel safe, brake levers nearly contacting the handlebar. I had it in my head that the adjustment was like a 30 minute job. Grabbed Allen wrenches, a couple third hands, screwdrivers. 5 minutes and two Allen bolts later, all done. Topped off the tires with air, quick test ride, meat's back on the menu. No real point to this post, but maybe you've made a quick adjustment or repair that made you happy?

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[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

I'm assuming there was still material on the pads?

When the travel starts to bottom out on my hydraulic disk brakes, that typically means it's time for new brake pads.

I know that might not be the case with wire brakes because they don't adjust the caliper piston positions as the pad wears down, but just making sure.

If the pads no longer have material, simply tightening the brakes can eventually end up ruining the calipers.

As for the post, I enjoy the same adjustment. That ride with new pads and reset pistons always feels super nice. They perform in such a satisfying manner compared to when they're almost worn out.

[–] bruhbeans@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Pads are brand new, I had a pro replace them a couple months ago (lazy). It's just this bike positively eats brake cable for breakfast. (Weird, this got mis-threaded in the reply, trying again)

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 months ago

Good! Have fun riding.

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I'm assuming rim brakes from the text, those usually have enough brake pads for several years or even a decade until the rubber just hardens to unusable. The cables stretch and hose shrinks also over time

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

No.

OP specifies that they are cable disk brakes, first three words in the post body. There are many possible reasons for why the brakes could be loose, but the first step should be making sure it isn't because the pads are done.

If they are and you adjust them back to tight, you'll end up wearing through the pads and start wearing away your caliper pistons.

OP may not be aware of the pad wear, as checking how much material is remaining usually means taking the pads (or wheels) out to inspect them, as the they can be fairly obscured by the caliper.

I'm not talking out my ass here, I've worked on both hydraulic and cable disk brakes.

Depending on the quality of the pads and how much you ride, they can wear out very quickly, or last many years.

It's likely that the pads are fine, but I don't know if OP has worked on their brakes before, and whether being aware of how worn the pads are is a detail they know about.

[–] Nfamwap@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You will KNOW when your pads are worn down to nothing. The metal on metal grinding, and horrendously long stopping distances should be a dead giveaway.

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It still happens.

[–] Nfamwap@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It's crazy to me how out of sync folks can be with their equipment. The feel of the brakes, the sound of a slightly under lubricated chain, the click of a loose spoke. I don't know if I am over sensitive to things, but when something isn't right with my bike, I know instantly.

[–] MentalEdge@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Yeah, I can feel how clean and lubed my chain and sprockets are based on how smooth pedaling feels.

But that's not how most people work, if performance drops over time, if how something sounds or feels only changes gradually, they probably won't notice and investigate closer until something almost completely stops working.

I make no assumptions when working on other people's bikes, I check every possibility.