zoster Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 SHORT VERSION: how can i have a good working front v-brake without it squealing like crazy ?ok, so i decided to have a front vee on my 24" (here's the bike if anyone cares)since i got this bike (not so long ago) i tried different setups. i tried 2 sets of pads, one soft and one hard compound (soft ones are plazmatic, hard ones are some worn down cheapish shimano pads)they both seem to work ok at first , but after a day or two in my uber-dusty city, they lose their hold and glide on the rim.therefore, i scribed them (that's that thing when you make some cuts with an exacto knife on the rim, this kind of thing). i made the cuts about 5mm apart, do not that tight. anyway. now the pads (both pairs) hold like crazy in pretty much any position, BUT (and this is a big hairy but) they squeal like hell !!i tried all sorts of positioning possible ( flat, toe-in , reverse toe-in ) the only setup that worked ( = didn't make a hell of a noise) was with the hard compound pads mounted with a severe toe-in (that's when they look like this / RIM \ ). it's ok for slowing me down when going at jogging speed, at higher speeds it also squeals. the problem is it doesn't hold too good for trials use. does anyone know a magic setup that has decent hold and no noise involved ?thanks for reading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben John-Hynes Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Standard vee pads maybe? Tis the only thing I can think of. Use a booster, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave! Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 Could try cleaning your rim? White spirits normally works for me, then wipe off with a damp cloth, and leave to dry.Failing this could try different pads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 I used to just wash it with water, it seemed to work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamus Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 replace the v brake bushings, and ensure the brake bosses and bolts etc are fully tight, possibly try a v brake booster.the squeal is casued by vibrations, eliminate this and they should quiet down a tad.my XTR v brake was stupidly loud and extremely annoying. also what condition is the rim surface? is the barking surface profile flat or worn and concave? i.e. ) ( compared to l lmine was concave, repalcing the rim reduced the squeal. i also ran standard pads, so that the material didnt vibrate in seperate backings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
middleageman Posted April 5, 2009 Report Share Posted April 5, 2009 If your braking surfaces (rims) need cleaning, try ethanol or isopropanol, or even just lighter fluid (Zippo petrol). Then wipe off with soapy water, then clean water, until squeaky clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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