Brake Modulation

Muskie said:

What is brake modulation? And I'm starting to get the notion that
there's a trade-off between having good modulation and good stopping
power. Is this right? (Again, I'm new to all this stuff.)

- Noel

Modulation is how the lever feels in relation to the pads engaging the
rotor. So with some brakes (my Hayes), in order to increase modulation,
you will/can loose power depending on what your looking for.

Some brakes are more adjustable, so you can change the lever position
with much effect on the power, while others come stock with much more
modulation. Other things that can/will effect feel or modulation are
different brake pad compounds, brake lines and how the bleed was performed.

Are you having particular problems with your current set-up? If so,
please state your brake mfg & model, perhaps we can help you.

There's also a great disc brake FAQ here
http://www.mtbr.com/techtalks/brakes/brakesfaq.shtml for some more info.

--
Slacker

Ughhhh...

Quoted message said:

Modulation is how the lever feels in relation to the pads engaging the
rotor. So with some brakes (my Hayes), in order to increase modulation,
you will/can loose power depending on what your looking for.

Some brakes are more adjustable, so you can change the lever position
with <<< should read *WITHOUT* much effect on the power,

On Wed, 09 Jun 2004 22:05:10 -0400, Muskie <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

What is brake modulation? And I'm starting to get the notion that
there's a trade-off between having good modulation and good stopping
power. Is this right? (Again, I'm new to all this stuff.)

- Noel

Modulation is the ability to apply different amounts of braking power
easily. IOW, you pull the lever a little, you slow down a little, you
pull it a bit more, you slow down a bit more, and so on, until the
wheel locks. Some braking systems are more prone to be either not
slowing enough or too much, where good modulation allows you to
control this.

IME, disks provide better modulation, which enables you to apply more
braking without locking the wheel. I don't think it is a compromise as
any braking system will enable you to lock your wheel(s) if you pull
hard enough, which is not good for you or for the trails.

That's what I think anyway, I'm sure I'll be corrected if that's wrong
:-)

--
Colin Swan

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

Quoted message said:

What is brake modulation?

A brake with good modulation will have a range of braking power from full on
eyeball-popping power to scrubbing off a bit of speed on a steep downhill.
It only helps if the rider knows how to utilise the brake properly though.

Good disc brakes (e.g. Hope) have loads of modulation, 'V' brakes have less
and at the other end of the range are Magura hydraulic rim brakes which are
loved by trials riders for there on/off braking.

Quoted message said:

And I'm starting to get the notion that
there's a trade-off between having good modulation and good stopping
power. Is this right? (Again, I'm new to all this stuff.)

- Noel

Not really. In fact I'd say the opposite.
Modulation with rim brakes is usually a sign that the caliper is moving less
in relation to lever travel and so has a higher mechanical advantage. When
cantilever brakes were the norm you could fettle them to have a firm feel
which translated to less modulation and less absoloute braking power, or you
could set them up squishy but really controllable and powerful. I preferred
squishy...

Steve.

Muskie said:

What is brake modulation? And I'm starting to get the notion that
there's a trade-off between having good modulation and good stopping
power. Is this right? (Again, I'm new to all this stuff.)

- Noel

Google for Penny's thread...

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

Muskie said:

What is brake modulation? And I'm starting to get the notion that
there's a trade-off between having good modulation and good stopping
power. Is this right? (Again, I'm new to all this stuff.)

- Noel

--

www.specialtyoutdoors.com/penny/biking/ridetips.asp

some good braking tip here.

penny

Quoted message said:

Good disc brakes (e.g. Hope) have loads of modulation, 'V' brakes
have less and at the other end of the range are Magura hydraulic rim
brakes which are loved by trials riders for there on/off braking.

Hmm... I was considering getting these for trials, but I don't think I'm
good enough at this point.

Quoted message said:

Modulation with rim brakes is usually a sign that the caliper is
moving less in relation to lever travel and so has a higher
mechanical advantage.

The Avid Speed Dial series of brake levers are exceptionally good at this.

When cantilever brakes were the norm you could

Quoted message said:

fettle them to have a firm feel which translated to less modulation
and less absoloute braking power, or you could set them up squishy
but really controllable and powerful. I preferred squishy...

And you don't have to still use cantis to get that modulation...

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

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

Quoted message said:

What is brake modulation? And I'm starting to get the notion that
there's a trade-off between having good modulation and good stopping
power. Is this right? (Again, I'm new to all this stuff.)

- Noel

Modulation can also include how you like the feel of the brakes. I prefer
to have my brake grab closer to the handle bar. Basically full lock up when
the lever touches the bar. I don't get arm pump on long downhills with
fingers in a bent position rather than stick straight out.