Bicycle maintenance

Roweyboi · 16 Jul 2010 at 10:27

If this thread should be somewhere else please move it

I have a Giant Talon 2, the braking used to be really sharp and the past few days its gone so bad i wont cycle very fast due to my stopping distance being so long. Its asif my brake caliper wont hold onto the disk on my wheel very well.
i think the problem is either, I need to tighten my brakes or they need to be cleaned as they may have wd40 in there by accident as i cas spraying it onto my chain and pedals earlier this week.
if i need to tighten my brakes how do i do that? and also if i need to clean my brakes how do i do that?
im very new to the cycling world

[DOD]Asprilla · 16 Jul 2010 at 10:33

Do you know what kind of callipers they are?

I use baby wipes to clean the pads and rims.

Edit: Ah, disc brakes. I know nothing about these.

Roweyboi · 16 Jul 2010 at 10:36

BRAKES Giant Root hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors

Gaijin · 16 Jul 2010 at 10:38

So I assume from what you say that you have disc brakes?

Are they hydraulic or cable?

Check the pads have life and you definitely dont want any WD-40 in there.

Out of interest how did you even get WD on them if you were doing your pedals and chain?! They are nowhere near your brakes?

Also, I'd use a better lube on your drivetrain than WD mate.

Think i'm using Muc Off lube at the moment.

Roweyboi · 16 Jul 2010 at 10:41

what do you mean by 'life' in my pads? yeah i was using wd40 without a straw and its the only thing thats happened to my bike that i can think of that would affect anything.
hydraulic brakes according to the spec. I'll look into getting better stuff for my bike but i havent owned a bike in years and wd40 used to do the trick 15 years ago when i last rode

lol im such a n00b

Gaijin · 16 Jul 2010 at 10:42

Roweyboi said:
BRAKES Giant Root hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors

Check the pads to see if they are worn, and the system is not leaking. Else they may need bleeding.

Buy a book called "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance" it contains everything you'll ever need when it comes to bike maintenance.

Inquisitor · 16 Jul 2010 at 10:44

If it's so severe that you feel you can't stop properly, then it could be that the pads and rotors have become contaminated, in which case you might need to get new pads (and the rotors will need cleaning). Otherwise, it could be that the brakes need bleeding.

Also, never use WD40 as a bike lubricant; see here for some tips. You should be using a proper chain lubricant.

Gaijin · 16 Jul 2010 at 10:44

Roweyboi said:
what do you mean by 'life' in my pads?

Similar to a car, disc brakes use friction pads to slow the disc/wheel down. If they are worn through or don't exist then your brakes won't work and you usually get some interesting noises.

To be honest mate, without being harsh, if you are struggling with whats been said, it may be best if you get it sorted in a shop

Good luck