|   To Spring or not to Spring ......clips vs. magnets | GregC
Jul 29, 2003 10:04 AM | | Some people like the old magnets of the Avid pads. Some like the new spring clips. I am not quite sure how to feel. I have never used Avids magnets, just new Koolstop pads that use magnets. They seem fine, maybe a little rattle here and there. I have heard of problems with the pads not fully retracting, but I have yet to see that happen.
So I ask you, Avid brake masters....What system do you prefer, and why? |
| Magnets! | shiggy©®
Jul 29, 2003 10:51 AM | | * Easier to install/remove pads (can be done one at a time)
* even pad wear
* can run the pad material down to nothing before replacing
I do not like the spring clips because:
* much harder to install/remove pads (must do both at once)
* uneven wear of the moving pad - the spring clip (where it folds over) prevents both edges of the pad from moving equally as the pad wears
* limited use of the pad material - the clip rubs on the rotor when about 1/4 of the pad remains
* the clips can get caught in the rotor
I do have a rattle in my front brake but it is not the pads. The moving piston rattles and spring clips do not stop it. |
| Clips! | Erci
Jul 29, 2003 11:42 AM | | I'm not as passionate about this subject as Shig, but I do prefer pads. It used to bother me that my pads would rub constantly due bad retraction. With clips, my brakes are silent when not in use.
I don't find the removal/installation to be a big issue. Yes, you have to install pads together (removal is same as with no clips). I don't think it's all that hard though. So far, my pads appear to be wearing evenly.
Unmodified, clips definitely limit how much brake material you can use up. I filed the ends of my clips off, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to use up as much pad as I would with no clips (I would not let it wear down to metal anyway). I haven't gone through a full set of pads yet with the clips, so who knows.. if my clips get mangled by the rotors, I'll be screaming for Avid to bring back the magnets too! |
| I have no problem with retraction | shiggy©®
Jul 29, 2003 2:10 PM | | Except when the magnet came loose from the piston. Cleaned up everything, super glued the magnet back in place and it works fine.
The first pads I used with the clips were the awful B3s that lasted less than 8 rides. The fixed pad was worn evenly, right down to the thickness of the clip and half the clip was worn away, too. The moving pad wore evenly to about half thickness and then went wedge-shaped and the backing plate at the pull tab was rubbing the rotor.
Because the clips make it a PITA to pull/replace the pads I checked the wear only once (plus I did not expect such quick wear). With magnets it is a 10 second operation with the wheel out to pull one pad, look at it, replace it, pull the other pad, etc. No need to back off the adjuster knobs.
With the clips, I have to back off the adjuster knobs, pull both pads at the same time, have the clip pop off, look at the pads, find the clip, refit the clip, compress the clip to get the pads back in, re-fit the wheel, re-adjust the knobs. Takes 3-5 minutes.
10-20 seconds vs 3-5 minutes? I will take the magnets thank you very much. Heck, I will leave out the clips on my new build w/v.2 road calipers and just let the pads float and rattle. |
| Thank you for the insight. | GregC
Jul 29, 2003 1:28 PM | | I too have found the un-even wear very frustrating.
I have got the clips caught in my rotor, luckily no damage done.
The ability to get your monies worth on pads is nice....run them down to nothing as you said.
I have some rattling with the Koolstop magnets. What are your thoughts? I ride a Full Suspension rig, and have enough noise already. Maybe I should start rockin' the SS.(wink wink) |
| Do you have version 1 or version 2 calipers? | shiggy©®
Jul 29, 2003 1:49 PM | | If they are version 2 you do not have magnets. The magnets are on the piston, not the pad. |
| Do you have version 1 or version 2 calipers? | GregC
Jul 29, 2003 3:58 PM | | I have version 2 Avid calipers. I am sorry I didn't express that fact. On Koolstop pads they use a magnet on the pad to hold the backing plate in the caliper.
I just came from a ride......and they stop great but I can't stand
the rattle they make.
Would you take the time to explain how the version 1 calipers worked. It prob. is self explanitory, but humor me. I like information.
Thanks
Greg |
| On the v.1 caliper... | shiggy©®
Jul 29, 2003 10:51 PM | | ...there is a thin, flat magnet on the face of each piston. The pad backing plate is steel. Otherwise there is no difference.
I do not believe the KoolStop pads have magnets on the backing plates and even if they did it would not help since the pistons are made of aluminum. |
| I stand corrected | GregC
Jul 30, 2003 7:57 AM | | Thank you for your explanation....
I just got a set of c-4 Avid pads, can't stand the rattle. |
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