Any ideas on the cause of the brake noise please? The disc isn't new but I've cleaned it and it is not wrapped. The pads are new. And the bike is a new build. I've recentered the caliper already and checked that the headset is tight.
I would have guessed that the pads need breaking-in but the rear is fine.
by Small-Banana3140
3 Comments
This is normal. Noise does not mean dysfunction.
You have two choices:
1. Spend either time or money or both to get the problem addressed with either cleaning or replacement (most likely not entirely solved, just reduced, and only temporarily)
2. Learn to live with it
I don’t really understand why brake squeal bothers people, are you trying to sneak up on someone?
…while you’re braking?
What is the issue with a noisy brake?
Or do you just not like it?
I love my noisy brakes. Thanks to them I don’t need to bother with my bell, everyone hears me coming
Cycle Technician here – that noise is caused by vibration from the pads rapidly going between gripping and slipping.
In the video are you applying the brake fully (as hard as you can)? The wheel should not be able to move at all with the brake applied at full force and under load.
Noise doesn’t neccesarily mean there’s something wrong (cold or wet can make them squeal or do what they’re doing in the video), but brakes shouldn’t make noise if they’re 100% healthy.
If in the video the brake is fully on then it’s not tight enough, try adjusting them by either increasing cable tension by unscrewing the barrel adjuster where the cable goes to the lever (for cable brake), or screwing in the little pin behind the lever that pushes into the hydraulic line (for hydraulic brake). You don’t need to screw it in all the way, try one turn and see what difference it makes then go from there.
This will allow the brakes to apply harder and should make the pads bite fully without slipping. If that doesn’t do it, you can reduce the space between the pads by turning the recessed bolt which will move the pads closer to the disc and create a sharper pull (bolt should be in the center of the caliper on the wheel side, they’re usually a 5mm hex).
If that’s not the issue: you said you cleaned them – did you allow the disc/pads to fully dry after using them? If not they could be contaminated with residue, even a small amount can cause a loss of friction and allow the pads to slip.
The pads being new rules out them being shiny, but they could have a thin coating on them to protect the surface, using the brake will rub this off quickly but you can lightly sand the surface and see if that helps.
Another potential cause could be the pads either aren’t seated properly (unlikely on disc brakes but not impossible) or simply need bedding in (will resolve over time by using the brakes)