Bikes brakes problem

Pate · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:07

A chap is selling a brand new (1 year old never used) bike on gumtree. It's in new condition and whilst being small for me, it'll suffice for the time being.

There is a problem though in that the brakes are rubbing against the disc which is very noticeable when I gave it a 30 second ride.

Is this fixable by an average joe? (me)

Here is a pic of the bike for reference.

Thanks.

twist3d0n3 · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:08

i'm afraid you'll have to just remove the breaks, there is nothing you can do

Glaucus · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:12

Maintence on a bike is easy. It just depends what the problem is to how it's fixed. Do you mean rubbing all the time or once every revolution?

Pate · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:13

There was a steady vibration/rubbing when cycling.

Pate · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:15

Pate · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:16

Whoops, didn't know the pics were so big, I'll resize them now.

semi-pro waster · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:24

I've moved the thread to Sports Arena as it's probably more appropriate there. If you don't mind me asking how much is the bike costing and what do you want it for? While it might look nice having dual suspension at the sort of level this bike is at (guessing price won't be more than £200 at the very top end) will actually be more hassle than it's worth, I'd suggest either front suspension only or no suspension at all - good tyres and grips will make about as much difference as cheap suspension.

In terms of fixing up the bike, it shouldn't be too difficult, as they're cable disc brakes you might simply need to adjust the barrel adjustors to alleviate some of the drag.

moogle · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:26

Just increase the length of the grip on the brake cable for the disc one until it stops rubbing, but make sure that doesn't allow the lever to bottom out on the handlebar.

How much is the bike out of curiousity. Looks like the bog standard front and rear suspension bikes argos, tesco or any other non bike shop sells.

mistercrabb · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:39

Yeah how much are you paying for that and what are you planning on using it for?

It looks like you might get away with just adding some slack to the cable, which is a 1 minute job.

Pate · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:44

I'm paying £30.

I'll be using it for a month or so.

moogle · 23 Oct 2011 at 14:48

kenmare said:
I'm paying £30.

I'll be using it for a month or so.

Good price, over £40-50 and it'd be a ripoff imo.

Pate · 23 Oct 2011 at 15:27

Well I've got the bike. Very pleasant gentleman, he even threw in a lock with it!

So now to fix the brake problem and I can make back the cost of the bike in bus fares in 10 days!

Simonnn · 23 Oct 2011 at 15:43

These brakes are terrible on these kind of bikes, tried to set some up recently for somebody, but if its only £30 for a couple of months nevermind. On the wheel side of the brake caliper there may be an allen key head, turning that will move how close a staitionary pad is to the disc, you can try that first, if the moving pad is the one rubbing you will need to slacken some cable.

Pate · 23 Oct 2011 at 16:22

Simonnn said:
These brakes are terrible on these kind of bikes, tried to set some up recently for somebody, but if its only £30 for a couple of months nevermind. On the wheel side of the brake caliper there may be an allen key head, turning that will move how close a staitionary pad is to the disc, you can try that first, if the moving pad is the one rubbing you will need to slacken some cable.

Cheers. Had a look but I'm a little unsure still haha. Last thing I wish to do is bugger the bike up already!i

Might just grin and bear it and hopefully it will wear down eventually.

Jonny ///M · 23 Oct 2011 at 17:03

Those make baby jesus cry!

They effectively float so one pad is always quite close to the disc hence rubbing. They also seem to made from irn bru girders and that makes the rotors hard to bend back as they will probably be bent aswell.

All I could say would be to tighten up the cable using the pinch bolt at the caliper(the one that holds the cable in place). So that it bites at a decent points not instantly and not when the lever is at the bar.

From there you use the bolts/screws(the ones with springs on them) to push the caliper back and forth so it has a gap between the pad and the rotor. Look through the caliper and hold a white bit of paper behind to help you see.

Good luck - you'll need it.

Also check the pedals are on tight,or even screwed in at all. I'd also remove the small cap from the land hand crank/pedal and tighten it up with a 14mm socket. These are never tight on these bikes and it WILL fall off if it's been built by an idiot.

encephalopathy · 24 Oct 2011 at 08:04

is the rear wheel quick release?
i have found that sometimes loosening it then pushing the wheel a little away from the pad side that is rubbing whilst retightening the quick release can help.