|   would I notice new v-brake pad and cleaning the rims ?? | capt pearl
Nov 19, 2002 2:03 PM | | I've got LX v-brakes and I've done nothing to clean them or the rims or the pads. But I probably should. So, what do I do? I'm planning on cleaning the rims with soapy water and then either fine steel wool or scotch-brite pad. And maybe the same for the pads.
What about pad replacement? When do you do it, does it really help, and what brand pad have you had luck with?
Thanks,
capt p
PS - sorry for the double post, but the original topic was so dull that even I missed it! |
| Heck Ya! | shiggy
Nov 19, 2002 6:08 PM | | Your braking will be much better.
I always like KoolStop pads and Avid pads. Both good stoppers (and both are probably made in the same place.) |
| Good tips | PBK
Nov 20, 2002 3:24 AM | | Soap and water is fine, but may not remove all the rubber residue on the rim sides. I use 80 grit sanding paper on a block of wood for this, to get the surface as even as possible. Remove the tire, gently push the sanding paper around the rim until the black gunk is gone. make sure to clean all the soap and metal from the rim afterwards.
If you use steel wool, remember that it often contains soap, so wash this off after you're done.
Clean the pads with a cloth and rub the braking surface with sanding paper to get oil and dirt off it and level it out. Reset the pads because they often go slightly out of position as they wear down. If the grooves for draining water is gone from the pads, replace. KoolStop are my favorites, black for dry weather, salmon for wet weather.
You can also take the brake arms off the fork/frame to clean and regrease the bosses.
Finally retune the brake levers and brake arm springs to center the brakes and get the right reach and cable pull.
It's also smart to get new brake cables and housing once in a while, depending on conditions and how much you ride. |
| Good tips, indeed. A few more questions... | capt pearl
Nov 20, 2002 7:42 AM | | Thanks. I'm reluctant (read: lazy) to take off the tires so I might try to clean gently with them in place. However, if the mid-winter jickers get me down, I'll do it up right. Otherwise, I'll take your advise.
Questions: Winter here is mostly wet, but I usually wimp out and only ride when it's dry or drying. Do I go black or salmon? Also, what kind of lube for the brake bosses? I have the Bicyling Mag. Repair Guide (or whatever the book is called), so hopefully I can figure out the correct way to retune the levers and arms. I need to learn this stuff anyway.
Thanks a bunch.
capt p |
| Good tips, indeed. A few more questions... | PBK
Nov 21, 2002 4:56 AM | | For mostly dry conditions, one type of pad only, get black.
For the brake bosses, just use some synthetic grease, like Pedro's or Finish Line. Lithium grease is also good enough. Some brakes have cartridge bearings, but most run on the bosses, so grease will help it run more smoothly and aslo prevent rust. No reason to get all high-tech about somethig like this. Having a perfectly adjusted setup is more important. |
| re: would I notice new v-brake pad and cleaning the rims ?? | twd
Nov 21, 2002 9:05 AM | | The best method I've found to clean rim brake pads and rims is to use a scotch brite pad and rubbing alcohol. Seems like everybody uses alcohol to clean their disc rotors, but I've never heard of anybody cleaning their rims with it. Gave it a try, and it works great. The scotch bright pads are abrasive enough to get the tough stuff off, but not so much that you will be grinding material off of your rim.
Use sandpaper or a large flat file to remove any glazing on the pads and to flatten out any uneven wear.
The other cleaner I've used that works well, is electrical contact cleaner. Although the rubbing alcohol is cheaper, works as well, and ins't as nasty to work with. |
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