Question about disc brakes

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by w0jt3k
Hi, I just recently purchased a new Gary Fisher bike. It's a really nice bike, Shimano equipped. I am concerned about the disc brakes, the front and back disc both rub against the brake pads. The bike rides smooth, no problems at all just very little noise from the brakes.

This is my first bike with disc brakes, and I don't know much about them. But should there be some clearence between the disc and the brake pads? Did anyone have this problem?

Thank you

There should not be any rubbing.

Have the brakes been broken in?
Did you get some instructions with the bicycle?
Did the brakes rub during your test ride?

The clearance is very tight, but there should be no rubbing.

yeah, its a common problem, my friend and i had it. the brakes are not lined up with the rotors just right so they rub on the pads a little. all you have to do is loosen the brake while you have a friend spin the wheel and keep moving it around till you find that spot where it doesnt rub, then tighten it back up. this worked fine for me, ive only had to do it once in the last 6 months. sometimes if you hit something on the trail it will cause that to happen.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by bigchina
yeah, its a common problem, my friend and i had it. the brakes are not lined up with the rotors just right so they rub on the pads a little. all you have to do is loosen the brake while you have a friend spin the wheel and keep moving it around till you find that spot where it doesnt rub, then tighten it back up. this worked fine for me, ive only had to do it once in the last 6 months. sometimes if you hit something on the trail it will cause that to happen.

If you're refering to post mount brakes thats not how you adjust them. Reset the pads and loosen the mounting bolts. Hold the lever firmly so the caliper bites the disc and centers itself. Keep the lever held tight and tighted the bolts. The disc should be neatly centered now. For IS brakes you need to add and remove shims from the mounts until its centered.