What is up with the squeal on my BB7 mech disc brakes?

[Esqo]

So I have avid bb7 mechanical disc brakes installed on my Monocog. They work fine when I start on a ride, but after 30 minutes to an hour of hard riding, I notice a horrendous squeal from the back brake whenever I brake hard. Is there anything I can do to avoid this prob?

[el_d00der1n0]

The organic pads are quieter. They make a funny noise if you ride them long and hard enough to get hot.

[Esqo]

Ah so it's the heat/friction? Thanks for the quick response.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Esqo

Ah so it's the heat/friction? Thanks for the quick response.

AFAIK yeah. The organics make a funny warbling sound, and the metallic make a loud, nails-on-the-chalkboard screech.

I'm really avoiding my work today.

[Esqo]

Yeah, Monday sucks, especially after a beautiful Easter weekend.

Okay, since you diagnosed my first prob, I have another one for you, Master dooderino. What can I do about the annoying creaking from my cheapo stock Cane Creak headset (aside from buying a nice Chris King)?

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Esqo

Yeah, Monday sucks, especially after a beautiful Easter weekend.

Okay, since you diagnosed my first prob, I have another one for you, Master dooderino. What can I do about the annoying creaking from my cheapo stock Cane Creak headset (aside from buying a nice Chris King)?

I had a creak going on up there too. I've read somewhere the first approach should be to grease your stem (where it contacts the steer tube of course). It's the same concept as greasing your seat post. Wherever I read that, they suggested those two things should happen before you go dropping benjamins on something that doesn't require replacing anything.

Mysteriously, my creak went away. I think it was cable rubbing.

[kevinator]

Avid's mechanicals will squeal if you look them wrong . Could also be flex from loose qr/wheel or even really dusty conditions will make those pads howl.

Headset, I would try the suggestion above (after cleaning & tightening stem bolts) and also remove the cups from the head tube. They dry out and creak.

[kev]

I've had luck with EBC Green Pads for Avid brakes as well. Might be another option for you.

[92se-r]

That's what Avid brakes do. They make weird noises. Hydro's and Mechanicals. I have both.

[boludo]

none of these guys knows what to do here. dont listen to them.

just buy some 3-n-1 oil, douse the rotors, then live happy and ride with a smile since there wont be a squeak coming from your brakes.

just make sure you wear two helmets, full DH pads and maybe some extra football pads.

The brakes wont sqeak, but you'll have a hell of time trying to stop.

I learnt that the hard way once when I must have gotten a bit of over spray whilst lubing something.

[Esqo]

hahahah, excellent!

[Dizle]

my rear BB7 makes a little noise but the front is quiet and both stop on a dime! try taking the pads out, rub them together to get the glaze off then clean the pads and rotor with rubbing alcohol to get all the grease/everything off.

[Burner]

which rotors are you running... in my experience the clean sweeps don't squeal, but the polygon ones do.

[Esqo]

Originally Posted by Burner

which rotors are you running... in my experience the clean sweeps don't squeal, but the polygon ones do.

Hmm, that may be it too. Got the polygon ones. Thanks.

[el_d00der1n0]

my clean sweeps squeal. my 08 polygons don't -- yet.

[BFloFoxRider.]

Originally Posted by Esqo

So I have avid bb7 mechanical disc brakes installed on my Monocog. They work fine when I start on a ride, but after 30 minutes to an hour of hard riding, I notice a horrendous squeal from the back brake whenever I brake hard. Is there anything I can do to avoid this prob?

Dont use the brakes

On a serious note, most of your stopping power should be coming from your front brake.. maybe try using a tad more front brake and a tad less back brake so it doesnt heat up as fast


One example of this would be in supercross/motocross
I believe it was the atlanta race early in the month. Ryan villipoto and ryan dungey i think it was went hot into the straight after the finish line turn... villipoto held the throttle wide open so long, he had to get hard on the brakes... so hard he did a nose wheelie, and the rear end of his bike clipped the tuff block and sent him flying over the berm..

[Esqo]

Yeah, I hear ya. I'm somewhat of a newb and still trying to perfect my downhill technique. The natural tendency when I'm going fast downhill into a turn is to hit the back brakes hard and skidding out. Still trying to get over that deeply ingrained fear of relying more on the front brake and doing a nose wheelie.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Esqo

Yeah, I hear ya. I'm somewhat of a newb and still trying to perfect my downhill technique. The natural tendency when I'm going fast downhill into a turn is to hit the back brakes hard and skidding out. Still trying to get over that deeply ingrained fear of relying more on the front brake and doing a nose wheelie.

I recently discovered the front brake. It's a very good weapon, but wielded incorrectly will get you an all expenses paid trip OTB real quick.