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
mtbr.combrakesfaq.shtmlOpen ↗ 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.