I DIDN'T Ride My Bike Today, Cuzz....

My back brake is acting up. Im not getting much brake force, not enough to lock up the wheel. The lever isn't squishy, but I did a bleed today anyway, pads are still above 50% life too. Cleaned pads and rotors with alcohol. No fix. I'm thinking the caliper isn't pushing out hard enough. Any thoughts or suggestions before I head to the lbs?
 
MrGreedom said:
My back brake is acting up. Im not getting much brake force, not enough to lock up the wheel. The lever isn't squishy, but I did a bleed today anyway, pads are still above 50% life too. Cleaned pads and rotors with alcohol. No fix. I'm thinking the caliper isn't pushing out hard enough. Any thoughts or suggestions before I head to the lbs?
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Caliper issue. I took my pads out, cleaned off the pistons the best I could with a rag, squirted WD 40 all over the pistons, re-installed the pads and presto - pistons retracting and extending like they should. Perhaps your problem is similar - or maybe just a bad caliper.

NOTE: My method is probably wrong for many reasons. I am not recommending it, just telling you what I did. I am not a licensed mechanic. My advise is purely for entertainment purposes and should be emulated by no one. Use at your own risk. YMMV. Actor portrayal. Closed course.
 
I had issues with older Magura brakes along these lines and I assume that this can happen to any bike brake.

I pulled the pads, squeezed the levers a few times to extend the pistons a little more (not too much, you don't want to pop them out!) and then I would use Q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean around them and all in and around the caliper on both brakes. I would then push the pistons back flush into their bores (which lubes them from the inside) and pads went back in and done.

The accumulation of trail dust, dirt, grit, mud, and or brake pad dust was the cause of the issue.
 
I did not ride my bike today, because @mtnbikej performed some mechanical voodoo and swapped parts between my two forks. I was supposed to watch and learn, but I think this operation would have taken me 3 weeks, instead of a couple hours. And it probably would have ended badly.

And there were tacos!

I'm really looking forward to trying the Frankenfork out tomorrow with 120mm of travel, as opposed to the 100mm I've been running. Death march, here we come!
 
Faust29 said:
I did not ride my bike today, because @mtnbikej performed some mechanical voodoo and swapped parts between my two forks. I was supposed to watch and learn, but I think this operation would have taken me 3 weeks, instead of a couple hours. And it probably would have ended badly.

And there were tacos!

I'm really looking forward to trying the Frankenfork out tomorrow with 120mm of travel, as opposed to the 100mm I've been running. Death march, here we come!
Click to expand...

I like the Highball with a 120mm fork. Has me going looking for chunky stuff now.

I am not riding today or tomorrow since I'm still working the fair in Indio....
 
I was on my way to ride today, but got rear ended by an 18 year old girl on the 405 South. The bike is fine ... good thing I keep it inside the car instead of using a rear mount rack. The car is messed up. It looks like she actually had insurance so it should all work out.
 
Obsidian said:
I was on my way to ride today, but got rear ended by an 18 year old girl on the 405 South. The bike is fine ... good thing I keep it inside the car instead of using a rear mount rack. The car is messed up. It looks like she actually had insurance so it should all work out.
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OUCH, sorry to hear.
 
I DIDN'T Ride My Bike Today, Cuzz... I hiked Barrett Stoddard to Stoddard Peak with my wife


Photo Feb 25, 1 18 30 PM.jpg



Photo Feb 25, 11 08 31 AM.jpg
 
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