Ultegra Brakes

[McFsC]

My brakes have become really sticky, when I pull the lever I have to pull fairly hard then it just 'jerks' into a position, I then have to pull even harder for it to just 'jerk' even tighter. There's no smoothness or intermittance, just on, super on or off.

Also, front only, nothing has changed apart from my pads are fairly worn and the screw adjustment is screwed right out...

It makes for pretty scary descending knowing that the 'on' isn't strong enough and the 'super on' will see you over the bars.

Cheers.

[Benmac]

First thing to look at is the cable, could be that it's sticking.

[Jimbo.]

It'll be the cable. My 105s were the same. Pull the cable out (it'll put up a fight!) and it'll be white 'n' encrusted, at a guess at the point where it bends within the bars.

Bizzarely, I bodged a new inner/same manky outer, and it's never happened again!

[McFsC]

Thanks for the replies, I'll have a gander. I didn't suspect it would be the cable though as it's relatively new, although done 2,000 miles.

I'll go through it later, cheers.

[KB_S1]

Sounds the same as mine, which was cable.
Not Ultegra brake but Ultegra shifter unit.
Similar milage etc.

[McFsC]

Ah cheers for that, how easy is the unit to get in to/clean and reassemble?

[Jimbo.]

McFsC said:

Ah cheers for that, how easy is the unit to get in to/clean and reassemble?

Easy-peasy Depends how far you wish to go of course, but even replacing the whole shebang isn't hard. Just fiddly in places.

[KB_S1]

I was lucky, the Mavic team at the Caledonia Etape did mine as part of the event package.
Fascinating to watch them work.

[Ice White Socks]

My 105 brakes did the exact reverse- went on fine but wouldn't come back off. Think all the salt had got into the brake mechanism and springs etc and gummed it all up. A quick dismantle/lubrication of the caliper soon sorted it. Yours does sound like the cable/shifter though.