Discussion
Hi all,
I've not lomg picked up a 2010 Rockhopper & it's a great bike. It has discs, which is new to me. The rear disc brake is squeaky at low speeds & also vibrates quite heavily in contrast to the front brake which is smooth & silent.
Any pointers from the experts for remedying this? I've not had disc brakes on a bike before, so it's all new to me.
I've not lomg picked up a 2010 Rockhopper & it's a great bike. It has discs, which is new to me. The rear disc brake is squeaky at low speeds & also vibrates quite heavily in contrast to the front brake which is smooth & silent.
Any pointers from the experts for remedying this? I've not had disc brakes on a bike before, so it's all new to me.
check all the mounting bolts on the caliper, frame and wheel hub are done up tight.
if it still makes noises (which it probably will, in my experience loose bolts dont tend to result in the noises you describe) then try the following:
is the rear brake a post mount type?
if so, post mounts allow a bit of side to side movement when setting up, and it could be that the caliper is not mounted quite in line with the rotor, which can sometimes be sorted by making fine adjustments to the angle of the caliper (this can be fiddly and requires very very small movement of the caliper)
Do you know whether the pads are sintered or organic?
i cant remember which ones do it, but one type is more prone to squeeking, so it could be worth trying different brake pads.
does it do it worse when its wet?
It could just be a case of putting up with it until the weather improves as water and gunk from the trail can affect a brakes performance
ETA: did you get the bike second hand? if you did, the symptoms you describe are what can happen if you get oil on the rotor or pads and can only be sorted by new pads and dousing the rotor in brake cleaner. If you got the bike brand new, then it could just be that the brake needs a bit more time to bed in.
if it still makes noises (which it probably will, in my experience loose bolts dont tend to result in the noises you describe) then try the following:
is the rear brake a post mount type?
if so, post mounts allow a bit of side to side movement when setting up, and it could be that the caliper is not mounted quite in line with the rotor, which can sometimes be sorted by making fine adjustments to the angle of the caliper (this can be fiddly and requires very very small movement of the caliper)
Do you know whether the pads are sintered or organic?
i cant remember which ones do it, but one type is more prone to squeeking, so it could be worth trying different brake pads.
does it do it worse when its wet?
It could just be a case of putting up with it until the weather improves as water and gunk from the trail can affect a brakes performance
ETA: did you get the bike second hand? if you did, the symptoms you describe are what can happen if you get oil on the rotor or pads and can only be sorted by new pads and dousing the rotor in brake cleaner. If you got the bike brand new, then it could just be that the brake needs a bit more time to bed in.
Edited by deadtom on Monday 20th February 18:07
as its a fairly new bike, it most likely is a post mount brake. do you know the make and model of the brakes; does it have anything written on the calipers or brake levers?
ETA: is this your bike? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ro...
if so, and assuming the previous owner hasnt changed the brakes then yes it has post mount brakes.
does the brake work well? is it able to easily lock up the wheel when using only 1 finger on the levers?
if yes, then try repositioning the caliper, or be prepared to put up with it until it gets a bit less damp outside.
if no, then it could well have a bit of oil on the rotor and pads, in which case its time for new pads and some brake cleaner.
ETA: is this your bike? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ro...
if so, and assuming the previous owner hasnt changed the brakes then yes it has post mount brakes.
does the brake work well? is it able to easily lock up the wheel when using only 1 finger on the levers?
if yes, then try repositioning the caliper, or be prepared to put up with it until it gets a bit less damp outside.
if no, then it could well have a bit of oil on the rotor and pads, in which case its time for new pads and some brake cleaner.
Edited by deadtom on Monday 20th February 19:19
I had exactly the same problem with my Rockhopper, the only way to cure it was to keep fiddling with the position of the caliper.
The problem was not as bad with new organic pads fitted but still came back after a few rides.
I don't know if this is a Specialized issue or an Avid one as I have the same problem on my Stumpjumper!
I have just bought a Cube fitted with formula disks and this is fine.
The problem was not as bad with new organic pads fitted but still came back after a few rides.
I don't know if this is a Specialized issue or an Avid one as I have the same problem on my Stumpjumper!
I have just bought a Cube fitted with formula disks and this is fine.
Yep, another Rockhopper (2011) rider with a squeaky back brake! Cured mine by messing about the with the caliper position - loosen the mounting bolts, tighten brake lever to get cailper to grip rotor, gently retighten mounting bolts, ride round the block and see if it's still noisy. Repeat until cured/fed up. Haven't had any noise for the last two or three rides out now.
If its not bolts or caliper position then just try cleaning the pads. My rears (Formula Rx) were making a god-awful grinding sound when applied the other week. Sounded almost metal on metal. Took the pads out and there were burrs around the edges.
Sand then down then brake hard from speed (not locking up the brakes) a dozen times or so to bed them in
Sand then down then brake hard from speed (not locking up the brakes) a dozen times or so to bed them in
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