Rigida Rims Braking Surface Problem

I need some advice on a slight problem with my rims. Have silver deep V Rigida rims with machined braking surface. However, they are not machined very well. Quite smooth actually compared with other rims. So not much stopping power in emergency situations at all. Already tried another front brake but makes no difference. So its the rims for sure.

Question: Anything I can do about it? Can the be re-machined? Or should I take out some sandpaper? Or better replace the front one If I can actually find another one of those. Any advice would be appreciated (and yes I do need/want a front brake, at least on this particular bike)

are they rigida DP18's with a polished finish? if they are you should consider riding brakeless :P

I clean the braking surface now and then with the scourer stuff you use to clean dishes with.
You can also try different compound pads and make sure the surface of the pads are roughed up - I run them across a metal file a few times.
If they are super shiny rims I can't see any harm roughing them up a bit.

ed, not 100% sure to be honest. They are polished but definately have some sort of braking surface. Says: Rigida.F.CX 822 Alloy on the inside. Don't want to ride this one brakeless, rather change the rims.

I can tell you this: I've got those super shiny polished finish dp18's without a machined braking surface and while they brake somewhat, I am starting to wonder wether they are the reason why I wasn't able to come to a full stop in time last week and ended up crashing into the back of a Renault Espace.

dogmatic I can tell you this: I've got those super shiny polished finish dp18's without a machined braking surface and while they brake somewhat, I am starting to wonder wether they are the reason why I wasn't able to come to a full stop in time last week and ended up crashing into the back of a Renault Espace.

thats one of the reasons...the other one is the way you ride not how many braking surfaces and brakes and airbags you have on the bike:-p

and braking on dp18 rigidas should be outlawed

broken_77 [quote]dogmatic I can tell you this: I've got those super shiny polished finish dp18's without a machined braking surface and while they brake somewhat, I am starting to wonder wether they are the reason why I wasn't able to come to a full stop in time last week and ended up crashing into the back of a Renault Espace.

thats one of the reasons...the other one is the way you ride not how many braking surfaces and brakes and airbags you have on the bike:-p[/quote]

yeah, riding style was defo part of the problem... ;)

Smooth rims should brake well in the dry but may start to cause problems in the wet.
The best performance iv had from a rim brake would be a u brake on a chrome rim on a bmx.
That very same brake however became useless in the wet, like i could literally pull the lever with 2 hands and it wouldnt stop.
Maybe try a different pad. Both brakes you tried may have had similr pad compounds in em.

Smooth rims should brake well in the dry but may start to cause problems in the wet.
The best performance iv had from a rim brake would be a u brake on a chrome rim on a bmx.
That very same brake however became useless in the wet, like i could literally pull the lever with 2 hands and it wouldnt stop.
Maybe try a different pad. Both brakes you tried may have had similr pad compounds in em.

2 more months, and that advice would be exactly one year late.

;)

Smiley face added, so you know that I wasn't being critical, just amused.

anyone else had experience of braking on polished rigidas? the have a flat braking surface but it's polished like the rest of the rim.

I'm having the same problem with the same rims, and I'm riding single speed so brakes are quite useful
might try different pads, but is there anything I could do for free? just clean the braking surface?

I'm having the same problem with the same rims, and I'm riding single speed so brakes are quite useful
might try different pads, but is there anything I could do for free? just clean the braking surface?

Yes

I clean the braking surface now and then with the scourer stuff you use to clean dishes with.
You can also try different compound pads and make sure the surface of the pads are roughed up - I run them across a metal file a few times.
If they are super shiny rims I can't see any harm roughing them up a bit.

try acetone as well, on the braking surface, failing that try riding brakeless, then you look cooler and impress the ladies/guys/whoever you wanna bone more.....FACT!

oh yeah, sorry..

So you should be, brakeless FTW. I get a rash the moment I mount a brake, i've been to see the doctor and everything, he said I should mount it slower, I said I always use plenty of lubricant, so I don't see the problem?

Ive tried other non machined rims like old Mavic's could always brake fine except for when brake pad residue got a bit out of hand over time.

Machined DP18's are a lot more easy to get hold of than unmachined aswell as ceramic coated ones, so I guess the inferior braking is the price you pay for fashion.

Fashion is for Hipsters, I mean just because I colour coordinated my hoody t-shirt and rims today before I left for work doesn't make me a.......ok.....nevermind.