Electric Bike Brake Pad Wear

[kitchenman]

For those considering an ebike then be prepared to pay good attention to brake pads. If you have any issues then seek guidance from the members of this forum as there are many years of experience here and so many experts in many fields.
To demonstrate this I would like to ask one of them to watch the following and then to provide the expert advice so I can stop my V brakes from squeaking.

YouTube - CX700/SQUEAKY BREAK

Thanks,

Alan

 

[tillson]

I am no brake expert, but you will stop the squeak by setting the trailing edge of the brake pads about 3mm closer to the rim than the leading edge. This will make the pads sit just a little bit out of parallel with the rims and the squeak will be gone.

 

[NRG]

I had the same issue on my Alien GSII. I've finally stopped the squealing and juddering.

First thing you can try is cleaning the rim with something slightly abrasive to remove and pad material and prep the surface.

Then you can then try to adjust the angle as tillson said. The trailing egde of the pad with respect to wheel rotation needs to touch a fraction earlier than the leading edge. A larger 3 mm gap maybe a bit too much, 1 or 2mm more than the leading edge is probably about right. This is needed because the wheel tries to turn the pad about it's vertical axis and if there is any flex (which there will be) the leading edge gets pushed under itself and squeals. Also this edge will wear faster than the trailing edge as there is more pressure on it.

If that does not work then fit new pads, I recommend either the Koolstop Salmons or the Avid 20R. I'm using the 20R at the moment with good results.

Rough the surface of the new pads before fitting.

If still no good then you could fit new brake arms, I went for Avid digit 5's but I think just fitting a brake booster would effect a cure. I fitted the BrandX booster from Chainreaction and the feel and power was vastly improved.

Hope that helps.

 

[Scottyf]

Put WD40 on them. That will stop the squeak....

It will also not allow you to stop but least the squeak is gone.

as long as the brakes work I wouldn't care. Its a noise. Alot of people have squeaky brakes mainly due to a build up of dirt.

Try cleaning your dirty rim! ;-)

 

[jbond]

I am no brake expert, but you will stop the squeak by setting the trailing edge of the brake pads about 3mm closer to the rim than the leading edge. This will make the pads sit just a little bit out of parallel with the rims and the squeak will be gone.

Yes, but 3mm is too much. 0.5mm more like.

With an engineering eye and a knowledge of things like M/C, brakes are another area where bicycle design is completely retarded (!). It's made worse because you want zero contact for efficiency and lack of that annoying tic, tic, tic as something touches. I've had the best luck with road racer style caliper brakes but they tend to clog with mud in the winter. V-Brakes are ok, but they seem to take an inordinate amount of fiddling to get just right. And they really need a perfectly true wheel to work at their best. Even then, an aluminium rim is the worst brake material and is not exactly an easily replaceable, renewable item.

 

[Pedalo]

To set the distance I usually place a business card (or something of similar thickness) under one edge. Works a treat.

 

[Scottyf]

The whole design of V brakes and other rim brakes seem's a little backwards to me. An the amount of pressure that must be on them on a leverage point of view when you brake. Its a wonder they don't just fly off or snap the bolts there held on too...

Mechanical Disks are about the best in my eyes for application on a push bike. Still I have V brakes front and back but have the option to add a front disk which I will look at in the future.

 

[NRG]

To set the distance I usually place a business card (or something of similar thickness) under one edge. Works a treat.

That's a great tip.

I also recommend a brake booster as I said above, stops the flex in the brake and provides a more consistent braking action.

Also I forgot to mention: try to get the brake arms as parallel to the rim as possible with the lever pulled. By this I mean the flat vertical part of the arm where the pad bolts on to, this should be close to parallel as possible.

You do this by adjusting the the number of washers and cups that come with the pad either side of the mounting plate. Smaller cup / less washer on the inside will move the arm by a few mm towards the rim and visa versa.

Washers mentioned in this video:

How to Adjust V-Brakes - Bicycle Tutor

 

[allen-uk]

Depends how squeaky, but if not TOO bad I tend to leave them squeaking - helps warn pedestrians without the slightly peremptory nature of a bell. (I squeak my brakes first, and if THAT doesn't work, I ring my bell instead!)

A

 

[kitchenman]

Depends how squeaky, but if not TOO bad I tend to leave them squeaking - helps warn pedestrians without the slightly peremptory nature of a bell. (I squeak my brakes first, and if THAT doesn't work, I ring my bell instead!)

A

Not really knowing what to do and not being arsed to put my glasses on for a closer look ... I just applied a little oil to the bits that you normally oil and it seems to have done the trick in this instance. I road to work this morning and had to break hard a few times and nothing... job done it seems ...I'see what happens on the way home.

I dont have a bell. I usually shout out BEEP BEEP usually does the trick. If I was going to get a bell I think I would get one like morphix which must be the nicest bell on the planet.

 

[Scottyf]

You say Beep Beep, must be quite amusing to watch ;-)

Like I said in previous threads. I use people as ramps!

 

[allen-uk]

I did have the Wisper bell, but that's more like being called to meditation in a Buddhist retreat, hence the 'proper' bell which at least goes ting-a-ling.


A

 

[z0mb13e]

For the toe out adjustment I just use the backing card from the pack the brakes came in.

Speaking of brake pads, I have a set of Superstar sintered pads for a Whisper Sport 905SE (that uses the Tektro IOX front disc brake (will also fit Tektro Lyra I believe)) free to a good home. If anyone needs a set, pm me and I will pop them in the post.

 

[kitchenman]

You say Beep Beep, must be quite amusing to watch ;-)

Like I said in previous threads. I use people as ramps!

Fortunately I dont see many people on my commute so I have only had to use it once and that was last week... (it should be on video somewhere .. I'll have a trawl through my zillions of gigabyte storage and see if I can find it for you). That'll keep me busy and divert my attention from other things like a self build on a recumbent! ... probably for the best as I am bound to end up with just a load of stuff in bits on the floor looking around for someone who knows what they're doing to the rescue me.

 

[kitchenman]

You say Beep Beep, must be quite amusing to watch ;-)

Like I said in previous threads. I use people as ramps!

Sorry it took so long. But I haven't needed to use the tecgnique for some time. Here is an example:

YouTube - ‪BEEP OR BELL‬‏

You can tell from the womens reaction that it was loud enough!

Using BEEP BEEP saves space on handlebars which is covered in various gadgets!

 

[RoadieRoger]

Scotty go and visit your nearest Poundland , they have small bulb horns to fix to the handlebars .

 

[banbury frank]

Hi Have you tried attaching a Canada Goose by its feet to the handle bars the pulling it tail

It will go Honk Honk Honk

Frank

 

[Scottyf]

could be ok. Might even get a bit of air while jumping with the goose attached from the flapping.

Nice video. I think even the dog was bemused.

 

[allen-uk]

Don't know about the wildlife element, but you do seem to be going at one hell of a lick!

A