Tuning disc brakes

[deano]

Does anybody have any tips on tuning Avid Mechanical disc brakes??? It seems like I am constantly adjusting them to find the proper setting and I still am lacking the stopping power that I feel if I ride somebody elses bike.
I've played with the red knobs on the brakes as well as the barrell adjuster....and I have replaced the brake pads....but the stopping power is not there.
If anybody has a good technique to adjust these brakes, please let me know. Thanks.

[Dawgee]

They are tough to adjust but work well when they are. I shine a flashlight between the pads and rotor to adjust the red knobs. Jusy turn them in till your really close without touching the rotor (i mean close too) Then play with your barrel adjusters until the pads rub slightly when you spin the wheel then back them off a hair. It takes alittle while for them to break in but they will. Good luck

[mtbnick]

are you cables old? with adjusting once i na while mine work fine

[Sci Teach]

I had some uneven wear on my rear pads, from movement of the caliper over time. The simplest method for setting/truing the system was on the Avid site. Just go to the tech manual page and pick your set up...picks and everything make it easy!


www.avidbike.com/7_techinfo/tech7_2_manual.html

[Tim]

For maximum power, you want the inner pad as close as possible to the rotor. Adjust it 'til it just rubs, then back off one click. You may need to true your rotor a bit to really get it close -- truing is easily accomplished with an adjustable wrench by just bending the rotor gently where it rubs. Once you're got the inner pad set, adjust the outer so the engagement point is where you want it.

Also, if you're using brake levers with adjustable leverage, set them to maximum -- but you probably already did that.

FYI, I just tried a set of 6" Hayes (got cheap off of eBay) and they do seem to have a fair amount more "bite" than my Avid setup (8" front and 7" rear).

Tim

[steve_b]

I would check the cable tension as well.

Another reference:

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/diskmech.htm

[Jisch]

I have had Avid Mechs for about a year. Others above have offered good tips. Don't use the barrel adjuster, just use the red knobs. I just replaced the cables and housings and the difference in power is amazing. Using a single piece of cable housing from lever to caliper is a good idea.

I used Avid pads for the first two sets, they wore so quickly that I was adjusting the pads three or four times during a ride. The first set lasted maybe a couple dozen rides, the second set I burned through on a week long trip to AZ. I have since started using EBC pads and they are much better, I don't notice any difference in stopping power, but the pads are lasting much longer. I am just about to change them, this set has been in since early spring. Given the wet conditions this summer, that's pretty impressive.

Incidentally my bud has Hope hydraulics on his bike, ok they are a bit beat, but the Avids are right there as far as stopping power.

John

[Sci Teach]

I also had the Avid pads wear quickly....but Avd's new formulation has made a big difference...from my experience. It is the "C4" coumpound and the web retailers are selling it. I put a set of these on before my trip to Moab in April, and have run the pads (trail riding, nothing outrageous but many hundreds of miles) up till now....and there is still lots of material left.

[steve_b]

Avid had a problem with one run of pads for a short time. I think it was in 2002.

My Avid pads from 2001 are still being used, and I ride trails 3 x's a week in areas that require good braking. ;D