So, ive finally actually to hit some trails on my new bike, and I seem to be having brake issues. I was going to adjust the brakes due to the rotors rubbing the pads, and I took the wheel off, loosen the caliber bolts, held in the lever, let loose and then tried to put on the tire and the pads seem to be very close to each other. I'm new to hydraulic brakes, so maybe im doing something wrong. Any advice would be rad.
Hayes Ryde
- Thread starter thanza
- Start date
also lever feels very tight, not a lot of room to play with.
well the title of your thread explains your brake issues - my experience has been that the older hayes hydro brakes were pretty solid - but the newer ones... not so much. I had nothing but problems with my Hayes Stroker Carbons.
That said... When the brakes are brand new with new pads the clearances are really tight - you may experience some rubbing. After half a dozen rides and you've worn the pads a bit, you'll see things settle in a bit more.
The method you are using to center the caliper is correct per the instructions. If it still rubs, loosen one of the caliper bolts just slightly and try to center it by hand, hold it in place and re-tighten the bolt. Also, you can slip a business card between the pad and rotor on each side when attempting to center it to gain a bit more clearance.
That said... When the brakes are brand new with new pads the clearances are really tight - you may experience some rubbing. After half a dozen rides and you've worn the pads a bit, you'll see things settle in a bit more.
The method you are using to center the caliper is correct per the instructions. If it still rubs, loosen one of the caliper bolts just slightly and try to center it by hand, hold it in place and re-tighten the bolt. Also, you can slip a business card between the pad and rotor on each side when attempting to center it to gain a bit more clearance.
Thanks man!
Remove the pads and push the pistons all the way back in. Then try centering again.
Awesome! I just fixed it. I love the ability to fix things myself. 
Again I appreciate all the advice, all came in handy! Cheers!
Again I appreciate all the advice, all came in handy! Cheers!Okay, so I got the front brake fix, but now the rear one is acting up. It feels like there isnt much power going to the rear. I got the bike from Jenson, so i'm starting to think that I need to re-bled them, but I dont want to do that unless it's completely necessary. hopefully one of you awesome people can help a noob out.
If they are squishy or lack braking force - there's a chance that air has gotten in the system. Depending on the bike and who built it up, they could have gotten air in the line if they had to shorten it to fit the bike.
I'd take it to a LBS and pay them 50 bucks to bleed the brake. see if that makes it better.
Another thing to check - the rear pads/rotor could be contaminted (oil, chain lube, grease, brake fluid, etc). Take the wheel off and clean the rotor with isopropol alcohol and a cotton ball. Then pull the brake pads of and run them back and forth on some 400 grit sandpaper (make sure you do this on a flat surface so you aren't uneven) - this will remove the top surface of the pad to clean it. put everything back together...
hope this helps.
I'd take it to a LBS and pay them 50 bucks to bleed the brake. see if that makes it better.
Another thing to check - the rear pads/rotor could be contaminted (oil, chain lube, grease, brake fluid, etc). Take the wheel off and clean the rotor with isopropol alcohol and a cotton ball. Then pull the brake pads of and run them back and forth on some 400 grit sandpaper (make sure you do this on a flat surface so you aren't uneven) - this will remove the top surface of the pad to clean it. put everything back together...
hope this helps.
Thanks man. I'm going to to go ahead and bleed the brakes.