Help please.. a basic problem if you're a pro

Hi,

I built my first fixie from scratch, finished it about two weeks ago and have been riding it pretty much dasily since. As one might expect it was a beautiful process and I feel a stronger affinity to this bike having built it than I ever have to the bikes I have bought and ridden in the past!

However, I am by no means a competent bike mechanic, and am having a bit of trouble refining some things, namely the brakes.

They are wailing like a mutha when i'm braking, from what i've read about the type of noise its making its that the brakes need toeing in, which I think means adjusting the pads so the front edge (the edge leading against the direction fo turn) touches down first... right? but the callipers on the bike dont seem to have adjustments for the angle, is there a method or technique to it..?

all help appreciated for a budding fixie rider guys!

Nick

What calipers???.

Try removing the pads and refix with an elastic band in place.

Stolen from the park tools website.

Then remove laggy band

you can also buy adjustable pads like these things:

http://cxmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/velo-orange-brake-pads-img_9394-cantilever.jpg

they are for cantis, but i have them for caliper brakes... I think the brand is aztec or something

you could get those kool stop for christmas, they are really nice:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kool-stop-tectonic-multi-compound-pair-of-brake-blocks/

What calipers???.

Try removing the pads and refix with an elastic band in place.

Stolen from the park tools website.

this.
Just undo the bolt holding the pads to the caliper, put an elastic band around the back end of it, tighten it up again, then remove the band. Do this to both sides.

Amazing, thanks guys.

those kool stops look pretty badass, but I think i'll try the elastic band trick for now, see if that gets me anywhere!

thanks again for the help

Nick

Also worthwhile checking the pads to see if some grit or other extraneous object has become embedded in one of them.

Also worthwhile checking the pads to see if some grit or other extraneous object has become embedded in one of them.

that will fuck up your rim in no time....

if they are caliper ie weinmann 500/600/700 range. you can carefully, and gently... twist the caliper leg each side by inserting a strong flatblade screwdriver in the slot where the pads screw in and adjust so the toe in is at the front or leading edge of the pad.. a little is all you need.. wamc

i bought one of these,it may seem a bit gimmicky,but they toe your brakes in very easily and saves a lot of swearing and time
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/cycling-tools/brake-toe-in-tool/product/review-tacx-brake-shoe-tuner-19005/

What calipers???.

Try removing the pads and refix with an elastic band in place.

Stolen from the park tools website.

Well look at that. My whole life I've been doing it with a penny, which is tedious to hold in place.

It seems the problem I'm having is that the whole brake calliper mounting-bar thing (sorry dont know the terminology) is twisting so that the brakes are mainly applying from one side, if you see what I mean. I line it up perfect, apply the brakes a couple of times and leans to one side straight away, but the necessary bolt is done up right tight!

any tips? are my callipers f*cked? is it something to do with the little mud guards that are attached via the same bolt thing?

Thanks

Nick

It seems the problem I'm having is that the whole brake calliper mounting-bar thing (sorry dont know the terminology) is twisting so that the brakes are mainly applying from one side, if you see what I mean. I line it up perfect, apply the brakes a couple of times and leans to one side straight away, but the necessary bolt is done up right tight!

any tips? are my callipers f*cked? is it something to do with the little mud guards that are attached via the same bolt thing?

Thanks

Nick

You need to centre the brakes, just tightening the retaining bolt haphazardly will generally not acheive this.

Please read Sheldon Browns brake adjustment pages

http://sheldonbrown.com/brakes/index.html

Or get a dual pivot calliper. I don't think, in practical terms, they offer much of a brake-power increase, but the ease of set up is more than enough to make me never go back.