Local mechanic? (new bike-hydraulic brake issues)

[1BADTTZ]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a local mechanic in the Fullerton/La Habra/ Brea area?

I just got a new 07 Iron Horse MK III that came with Avid 3 hydraulic brakes. I purchased this bike online from rscycle.com. I assembled the bike and found two issues with these front brakes. The first issue is the partial area on the front rotor is scraping the pad and the other issue is very-very low front break pressure. I'm new to hydraulic breaks. So I'm clueless.

Any assistance would greatly be appreciated.

Cons

[Collette]

Hit up TURNERob, word is he at the wrench-stuff.

[xhuskr]

not running hydraulics, I can only give you info based on my friends.
1. Rubbing....may just need to break in the pads. A couple good downhill sessions should set them in.

2. The brakes prob need to be bled. If you recently bought the bike at a shop....take it back and have them bleed them for FREE!!

If u don't trust that shop, there are many good shops in the area and a newer one in Fullerton. Good luck.

or.....take it to the Fully ride.....there's always someone to help out there.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by 1BADTTZ

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a local mechanic in the Fullerton/La Habra/ Brea area?

I just got a new 07 Iron Horse MK III that came with Avid 3 hydraulic brakes. There are two issues I'm having with these front brakes. The first issue is the partial area on the front rotor is scraping the pad and the other issue is very-very low front break pressure. I'm new to hydraulic breaks. So I'm clueless.

Any assistance would greatly be appreciated.

Cons

how good of a wrench are you?

[mechmann]

pad scraping is probably a rotor thing, the rotors take lots of abuse and they get warped/bent. i just leave it usually, but if it is really bad i bend them some with my hands.

as for the bleed issue, i bleed my own brakes. it is pretty easy as long as you follow the instructions and pay attention to detail. i suggest you buy the avid bleed kit and try to do it yourself. if not, just go to any shop and they will take care of you for a fee...

[1BADTTZ]

Originally Posted by 29wheels

how good of a wrench are you?

1 to 5?

I say I'm a 3.

[b-rad!]

PM sent.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by 1BADTTZ

1 to 5?

I say I'm a 3.

you can do it yourself.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Easier than adjusting drl’s.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Pad rubbing can be caused by all kinds of things. First have you removed the front wheel? If you have try and remove the wheel again and retract the pads with a clean tire iron or something similar. Reinstall the wheel and apply the brakes.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I would start there[/SIZE][/FONT]

[1BADTTZ]

Originally Posted by 29wheels

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] First have you removed the front wheel? If you have try and remove the wheel again and retract the pads with a clean tire iron or something similar. Reinstall the wheel and apply the brakes.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I would start there[/SIZE][/FONT]

I actually tried that yesterday and had no luck. I suck!

[Edog]

Originally Posted by 1BADTTZ

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a local mechanic in the Fullerton/La Habra/ Brea area?

I just got a new 07 Iron Horse MK III that came with Avid 3 hydraulic brakes. There are two issues I'm having with these front brakes. The first issue is the partial area on the front rotor is scraping the pad and the other issue is very-very low front break pressure. I'm new to hydraulic breaks. So I'm clueless.

Any assistance would greatly be appreciated.

Cons

If it's that new take it back to the shop, you might need to pump the brakes to build up some pressure if they where recently bleed & not ridden.

I would try removing the pads, reset the pistons all the way back, put the pads back, re aline the brake on the roter. You can get a ball park alienment by alien slacking off the mounting bolts, apply the bikes, tighten bolts while pads are clamped to the roter, hydrolics self adjust, so you my find that once the pad is worn in a little, the rubbing while subside.

[1BADTTZ]

Originally Posted by Edog

If it's that new take it back to the shop, you might need to pump the brakes to build up some pressure if they where recently bleed & not ridden.

I actually purchased the bike online. Everything was pretty much assembled when I received it except the front fork and front brakes.

I pump it continuously with no increase in pressure. It probably does need re-bleeding.

Cons

[Neccros]

Could the rubbing be from the caliper not being centered?? Just loosen the calipers, grab the brake handle and hold it, then tighten the caliper back up and release the brake lever.... this has always worked for me in the past...

[Flat Broke]

Congrats on the new bike. I'm gonna give a preachy little blurb here and then off to the tech info. The reason you got such a killer price from RS online is because they don't do anything to warrant charging more money. You could have bought that same bike at a number of walk in retail locations, but it would have cost more. The reason for this is the fact that your local bike store is paying someone to make sure you don't have these types of issues; and in most cases to provide some free after sale support. Next time you see the low down price on RS or any of the other online retailers, ask yourself if you're ever going to need further support with the product. It probably wouldn't take long in shop hours or damaged parts from improper assembly to make up the difference between RS's price shipped, and any of our local bike stores that carry the brand.

What that blurb out of the way, all the info you seek should be contained on Avid's page http://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/95.5013.109.000_A%20Juicy%203%205.pdf

First you need to bleed the setup, then follow their procedures for aligning eveything. Since the bike/brakes are brand spankin new, even with everything adjusted properly there may be just a touch of drag for a few miles, but other than that you should be good to go.

In place of Avid's bleed kit, you can go to Petco and purchase some mini air line tubing and unions (less than $3), then go to Walgreens or your local medical supply store and pick up a suitable syringe. Add to that a used water bottle and the approriate type brake fluid, and you're all set. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, take it to the guys at Adrenaline Bikes in Tustin and they'll get you taken care of.

Good luck,
Chris

[1BADTTZ]

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

Congrats on the new bike. I'm gonna give a preachy little blurb here and then off to the tech info. The reason you got such a killer price from RS online is because they don't do anything to warrant charging more money. You could have bought that same bike at a number of walk in retail locations, but it would have cost more. The reason for this is the fact that your local bike store is paying someone to make sure you don't have these types of issues; and in most cases to provide some free after sale support. Next time you see the low down price on RS or any of the other online retailers, ask yourself if you're ever going to need further support with the product. It probably wouldn't take long in shop hours or damaged parts from improper assembly to make up the difference between RS's price shipped, and any of our local bike stores that carry the brand.

I highly agree with you. My previous mtn. bike was purchased from a local bike shop and they took care of all my issues for the first year at no charge.




BTW guys. I took care of the front brake issues. All is now good.

Thanks!

I'll see you guys at the trails.

Cons

[Neccros]

What did you do to solve the issue with your brakes?

[1BADTTZ]

Originally Posted by Neccros

What did you do to solve the issue with your brakes?

I had a buddy align everything up for me. Just bad assembly on my part.

[Neccros]

Originally Posted by 1BADTTZ

I had a buddy align everything up for me. Just bad assembly on my part.

Cool deal.... glad to hear you got it worked out.... nothing nicer than a dialed bike

[HardCharger]

Originally Posted by Neccros

Could the rubbing be from the caliper not being centered?? Just loosen the calipers, grab the brake handle and hold it, then tighten the caliper back up and release the brake lever.... this has always worked for me in the past...

The bike that I fixed this evening had the same problem. Basically I loosened the two bolts that hold the caliper onto the fork mount, spun the wheel and moved the caliper lightly until the rubbing couldn’t be heard. Same method as you described Neccros but different route - centering the rotor. This is common w/disc brakes.

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

Congrats on the new bike. I'm gonna give a preachy little blurb here and then off to the tech info. The reason you got such a killer price from RS online is because they don't do anything to warrant charging more money. You could have bought that same bike at a number of walk in retail locations, but it would have cost more. The reason for this is the fact that your local bike store is paying someone to make sure you don't have these types of issues; and in most cases to provide some free after sale support. Next time you see the low down price on RS or any of the other online retailers, ask yourself if you're ever going to need further support with the product. It probably wouldn't take long in shop hours or damaged parts from improper assembly to make up the difference between RS's price shipped, and any of our local bike stores that carry the brand.

I couldnt agree more Flat Broke. The price is great but the assembly is left for consumers to deal with. Often times we dont have the right tools to make the right adjustments... Hopefully their Customer Service is a good as the price. Never the less, I think the bike that 1BADTTZ purchased is a good deal! I'm sure he'll have fun with it