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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site orca.UUCP
Path: utzoo!decvax!tektronix!orca!jans
From: jans@orca.UUCP (Jan Steinman)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Cure for Squeaky Brakes
Message-ID: <1734@orca.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 17-Sep-85 01:37:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: orca.1734
Posted: Tue Sep 17 01:37:57 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 17-Sep-85 22:16:08 EDT
References: <285@ncr-sd.UUCP>
Reply-To: jans@orca.UUCP (Jan Steinman)
Distribution: na
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 29
Xref: tektronix net.bicycle:01744 
Summary: 

In article <285@ncr-sd.UUCP> steves@ncr-sd.UUCP (Steve Schlesinger) writes:
>How can I stop my brakes from squeaking, and making other noises?
>Is it the brake pads?  Is it the angle the pads hit the rim ?

Yes.  Most cantelever brakes allow you to adjust "toe-in", as it is called,
but with others you will have to remove the wheel and the brake pad, grab
brake arm with an adjustable wrench, and carefully bend the front inward.
(If you bend the back in, you may stop more suddenly than you ever
imagined!)

Note that this reduces rim true tolerance.  Brakes that sacrifice brake arm
travel for mechanical advantage may need to be adjusted out so far that
braking power is compromised as the brake lever hits the handlebars.
Luckily, the amount of toe-in needed to stop squeaking is small.

Another problem is non-uniform shoe wear.  Simply swap and reverse shoes
(right -- left) when uneven wear is noticed, or when squeaking resumes.

Two other possibilities: try a different brake shoe.  I've heard the new
"high-tech" shoes don't squeak.  If all this sounds daunting, you might
just want to put up with it for a while.  Many shoes will squeal when new,
then settle down once they start to break in to the rim.

I've done toe-in quite successfully with Campys and Dia Compes.  Alas, there
is no known cure for Mafacs.  (Heard on a club ride just after a long
descent:  "I hear you have Mafac brakes?")
-- 
:::::: Jan Steinman		Box 1000, MS 61-161	(w)503/685-2843 ::::::
:::::: tektronix!tekecs!jans	Wilsonville, OR 97070	(h)503/657-7703 ::::::


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