brake pads scouring rims?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Anine Swart
Hi all,

my bike is a 4yo Giant Yukon that I've transformed into a hybrid. Stock standard 26" rims (looks
like aluminum). The problem is that during the 4 years I've owned this bike I've never had much luck
with brake pads. It seems that the pads collect small metal particles from the rims, which creates a
grinding sound when the brakes are applied. I've had minor success with picking out the metal flakes
from the pads after every ride but after a few miles the grinding returns.

I've tried very fine sanding paper to smooth out the rims, rubbing compound, many different types of
pads and different pad alignment configurations but all with very little success.

any ideas? Where does the problem originate? with the pads, rims? factor X? I'm just glad it doesn't
squeal as well!

thanx Anine

Annie,
You have the right ideas, but the metal or other debris getting lodged in brake pads is normal.
I use Scotch brite pads to clean rims and then a damp clean cotton rag. I keep wiping until nothing more comes off.
I use a tweezer to remove big "chuncks" from the brake shoes and then I use a fine flat file to get them clean and flat again.
Keep up the maintenance and enjoy your riding.

"Anine Swart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

my bike is a 4yo Giant Yukon that I've transformed into a hybrid. Stock standard 26" rims (looks
like aluminum). The problem is that during the 4 years I've owned this bike I've never had much
luck with brake pads. It seems that the pads collect small metal particles from the rims, which
creates a grinding sound when the brakes are applied. I've had minor success with picking out the
metal flakes from the pads after every ride but after a few miles the grinding returns.

I've tried very fine sanding paper to smooth out the rims, rubbing compound, many different types
of pads and different pad alignment configurations but all with very little success.

any ideas? Where does the problem originate? with the pads, rims? factor X? I'm just glad it
doesn't squeal as well!

The problem comes from the pads, they're too soft. When riding in the rain, the soft pads pick up
little bits of road grit, which then start shaving aluminum off the rims. The solution is to get
harder pads. KoolStop makes a salmon colored pad which really helps with this problem.

Peter Cole <[email hidden]> wrote:
: "Anine Swart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
: "]news:[email hidden]...
:> Hi all,
:>
:> my bike is a 4yo Giant Yukon that I've transformed into a hybrid. Stock standard 26" rims (looks
:> like aluminum). The problem is that during the 4 years I've owned this bike I've never had much
:> luck with brake pads. It seems that the pads collect small metal particles from the rims, which
:> creates a grinding sound when the brakes are applied. I've had minor success with picking out the
:> metal flakes from the pads after every ride but after a few miles the grinding returns.
:>
:> I've tried very fine sanding paper to smooth out the rims, rubbing compound, many different types
:> of pads and different pad alignment configurations but all with very little success.
:>
:> any ideas? Where does the problem originate? with the pads, rims? factor X? I'm just glad it
:> doesn't squeal as well!

: The problem comes from the pads, they're too soft. When riding in the rain, the soft pads pick up
: little bits of road grit, which then start shaving aluminum off the rims. The solution is to get
: harder pads. KoolStop makes a salmon colored pad which really helps with this problem.

I had squeal problems and grit problems with pads on my V-brakes. I finally solved the problem by
buying the cheap brake pads they sell at wallmart for 5 bucks a pair. They are thin line design with
threaded studs.

I have also had good luck with the walmart road bike pads on my road bike.

They are made in China for Bell and the part # is 2430801002.

--------------------------------
Bob Masse' [email hidden]
--------------------------------

(Anine Swart) said:

Hi all,

Quoted message said:

The problem is that during the 4 years I've owned this bike I've never had much luck with brake
pads. It seems that the pads collect small metal particles from the rims, which creates a grinding
sound when the brakes are applied.

This is not supposed to happen, and since I replaced my 1998 ultegra brake _pads_ on tuesday, the
problem has stopped. And I have never had the problem on 10 other bikes. So I think the problem was
my shimano pads. If you are using shimano pads, throw them away and buy koolstop. If you ride a lot
in the rain, buy koolstop salmon-colored pads. These are the best pads in history, equivalent to the
legendary mathauser pads of the 1970's.

Here's a reference that explains the manufacturing defects in several types of shimano pads. These
pads are too abrasive and they grind the rims to bits. naturally (or luckily), some particles get
stuck in these rim-eating pads :

chainreaction.combrakeshoes.htmOpen ↗

Don Gillies - [email hidden] - San Diego, CA - Qualcomm, Inc. ece.ubc.ca~gilliesOpen ↗