Disc Brake issues

[homebrewbiker]

Hi,

Just got a new bike with disc brakes. One issue I am having is that I am not used to brakes which lock out the wheels so easily and I am having a lot more trouble with skidding than ever before. What I have started doing is just lightly tapping the brakes several times in succession instead of just slamming on the brakes (my old V brakes were just fine with this but probably didn't lock the wheels out either).

Any thoughts or tips? A friend mentioned that they make discs with more of a wave pattern so that there is more play in the brakes.

Thanks.

[grizzly adam]

I think it's just a matter of getting used to them. I rode a friends bike with XTR discs and I was doing the same thing. I thought I was going to launch off the bike!
After some more rides, you'll be just touching the brakes instead of grabbing them.
OR
you could put some PAM on the discs :)

[Magic]

The rotors and pads need to break in. They will be grabby at first. Try to slowly squeeze the brake lever. Don't mash the brake lever, you'll learn to fly when you don't want to. Also since your new to disc brakes, don't touch the rotor or pads with your hands. The oil from your hands will contaminate the rotors and pads. If you do happen to touch them you can try to clean them with denatured alcohol. I use this after I set up my brakes. I clean the rotors and calipers with the alcohol. It just takes time to get used to the discs.

[soupboy]

...are they? If they are Avid Mechs or Juicys (hydro) you can alleviate some of this by adjusting the pads outboard to require more lever throw to actuate the brakes. If they are open system hydros (Hayes, Hope, Shimano, Magura, etc.) you will just need to get used to them and adjust braking techniques accordingly.

You should be happy you have power from the get go. Most often it takes discs a bit of time to bed/burn in. The beauty of discs is the 1-finger stopping. You shouldn't need 2 or more fingers on properly functioning discs.

In time you will re-learn proper modulation for your new stoppers.

Sean

[homebrewbiker]

...are they? If they are Avid Mechs or Juicys (hydro) you can alleviate some of this by adjusting the pads outboard to require more lever throw to actuate the brakes. If they are open system hydros (Hayes, Hope, Shimano, Magura, etc.) you will just need to get used to them and adjust braking techniques accordingly.

You should be happy you have power from the get go. Most often it takes discs a bit of time to bed/burn in. The beauty of discs is the 1-finger stopping. You shouldn't need 2 or more fingers on properly functioning discs.

In time you will re-learn proper modulation for your new stoppers.

Sean
They are avid mechanical brakes. Right now they are adjusted pretty tight. Before the front was very loose and the back was very tight and I was not getting much stopping power in the front, and that combination did not work too well. Short bursts using one finger on each side seemed to work OK when both are adjusted tight.

I was practicing a bit inside in a warehouse and put a nice skid in the floor:p

[Panman]

I also have the Avid Mechs. It just took some time to get used to but now it's fine. Sometimes I catch it good and skid but not much any more. I'd say just keep at it.