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burnishing avid discs?

monkey_wheel

Chimp
Aug 11, 2001
29
0
BC
I just got a avid disc for the front (7" rotor, thanks for helping me set it up)
and it doesn't seem to have as much power as my friends, even tho he is using a 6" on a LX lever, and I have a 7" on a XT lever. Btw, this is a front disc. Do these brakes need time to brake in? What can I do to speed up the process? Thanks.
 

Tenchiro

Attention K Mart Shoppers
Jul 19, 2002
5,407
0
New England
When I broke my Hayes in, I found a big hill and rode the brakes ahrd the whole way down a couple of times.
 

spincrazy

I love to climb
Jul 19, 2001
1,529
0
Brooklyn
If you're using brand new pads, then they may need to break in a bit, but it shouldn't take long.

Your rotor may be contaminated also. It'll burn off or you can take rubbing alcohol to the rotors.

Are you running full housing? This helps tremendously. Also, make sure you set them up correctly. The worst feeling avids are ones that aren't set-up right. Make sure to follow the directions to the letter and don't take up slack with the lever body adjustment, use the dials on the calipers.
 

D_D

Monkey
Dec 16, 2001
392
0
UK
Here it's common to use mud on the rotors to get them to bed in.

Mud can also be used to clean some contamination off the rotor.
 

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,746
1,827
chez moi
Spray water on them from a camelback, too, before use or with the brakes lightly applied and you pedalling.

Also, the brakes are really finicky about setup; depending on the relationship between pads/rotor/caliper, they can be strong and grabby or a little weaker with great modulation (let the rotor flex more before hitting the inboard pad for modulation, but run the outer pad as close as possible for quick engagement...my preferred setup...)

MD
 

SwisSlesS

Monkey
Jan 31, 2003
385
0
When you're going down that big hill, be sure to grab the front brake as hard as you possibly can. I've heard that helps.

*sits back and waits for monkey_wheel to go flying over the bars* :p