Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

Hydraulic Brake Replacement

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

Hydraulic Brake Replacement

Old 04-11-21, 08:51 PM
  #1  
Bad Lag
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal, for now
Posts: 2,475

Bikes: 1974 Bob Jackson - Nuovo Record, Brooks Pro, Clips & Straps

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1104 Post(s)
Liked 794 Times in 452 Posts
Hydraulic Brake Replacement

My daughter's TREK bike came with hydraulic disk brakes. They suck so much we want a replacement set of brakes or a new bike(!).

The problem is they keep binding. It's not seizing, just the pads rub the rotor and locomotion is VERY difficult. The pads have been sanded and adjusted and... Some short time later, the brakes are rubbing again and later still the bike is almost un-rideable.

Can you guys offer any advice about what to buy as replacements? I believe we will need calipers, levers and cables.

Are the mounting interfaces and disk locations standardized or are we venturing into customization?

Thanks in advance.

Last edited by Bad Lag; 04-12-21 at 09:05 PM.
Bad Lag is offline  
Old 04-12-21, 12:43 PM
  #2  
prj71
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,601
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2965 Post(s)
Liked 1,167 Times in 763 Posts
Can you explain how the disc brake pads are rubbing the wheel?
prj71 is offline  
Likes For prj71:
Old 04-12-21, 02:24 PM
  #3  
cxwrench
Senior Member
 
cxwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767

Bikes: lots

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times in 1,489 Posts
Did you buy the bike at a proper bike shop?
cxwrench is offline  
Likes For cxwrench:
Old 04-12-21, 04:52 PM
  #4  
2cam16
Senior Member
 
2cam16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Mateo,Ca.
Posts: 4,350

Bikes: TRIMMED DOWN THE HERD

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1089 Post(s)
Liked 928 Times in 594 Posts
Are you sure they're hydraulic DISC BRAKES?
2cam16 is offline  
Likes For 2cam16:
Old 04-12-21, 08:50 PM
  #5  
Russ Roth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,762

Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1073 Post(s)
Liked 999 Times in 710 Posts
Sounds like the pads aren't running parallel to the rotors if you're having trouble with rubbing and lousy stopping if they're hydraulic. Brakes not aligned would mean constant rubbing and lousy stopping since the pads are also trying to bend the rotor as you stop. This is also a constant issue with lousy cable brakes since one side usually doesn't move while the other side is pushing the rotor over to squeeze it between the two pads. When I wanted to upgrade the kids' cannondales from cable I went to randombikeparts and picked up two sets for 40 each, alivio level which works well for 60lb children.
Russ Roth is offline  
Old 04-12-21, 09:06 PM
  #6  
Bad Lag
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal, for now
Posts: 2,475

Bikes: 1974 Bob Jackson - Nuovo Record, Brooks Pro, Clips & Straps

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1104 Post(s)
Liked 794 Times in 452 Posts
Originally Posted by prj71
Can you explain how the disc brake pads are rubbing the wheel?
Some people,... Well, I guess it takes all kinds.
Bad Lag is offline  
Old 04-13-21, 07:10 AM
  #7  
prj71
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,601
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2965 Post(s)
Liked 1,167 Times in 763 Posts
YouTube is great for almost everything "how to"

prj71 is offline  
Old 04-13-21, 08:24 AM
  #8  
freeranger
Senior Member
 
freeranger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,579

Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 421 Post(s)
Liked 690 Times in 430 Posts
The Park Tool ref is an excellent one. But if you aren't a DIY'er, I'd check out another shop, with a good mechanic. Yes, some brakes are better than others, but most are not so bad that a good mechanic can't fix them. There are different mounts, so you have to buy brakes with the correct mount for the bike. If you decide to replace the brakes, even the less expensive Shimano brakes have a good reputation.

Last edited by freeranger; 04-13-21 at 08:34 AM.
freeranger is offline  
Old 04-13-21, 02:12 PM
  #9  
DETarch
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by 2cam16
Are you sure they're hydraulic DISC BRAKES?
As opposed to what, hydraulic rim brakes???

Anyway...if you're able to get the brakes adjusted, then they eventually go back out of adjustment, there might be an issue with pistons sticking. Depending on your mechanical aptitude, you could try cycling the pistons a few time without the pads in and cleaning, then re-lubing the pistons with brake fluid. Find a decent instructional video for this though, as it could result in pistons extending too far.

If you're already considering buying new brakes, I'd look at Shimano's lower tier 2-piston hydraulic brakes as already mentioned here. The Acera (MT200) brake would be a good option. For around $40-50 per brake, they'll include lever, caliper and hose.
DETarch is offline  
Old 04-13-21, 02:33 PM
  #10  
2cam16
Senior Member
 
2cam16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Mateo,Ca.
Posts: 4,350

Bikes: TRIMMED DOWN THE HERD

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1089 Post(s)
Liked 928 Times in 594 Posts
Originally Posted by DETarch
As opposed to what, hydraulic rim brakes???

Anyway...if you're able to get the brakes adjusted, then they eventually go back out of adjustment, there might be an issue with pistons sticking. Depending on your mechanical aptitude, you could try cycling the pistons a few time without the pads in and cleaning, then re-lubing the pistons with brake fluid. Find a decent instructional video for this though, as it could result in pistons extending too far.

If you're already considering buying new brakes, I'd look at Shimano's lower tier 2-piston hydraulic brakes as already mentioned here. The Acera (MT200) brake would be a good option. For around $40-50 per brake, they'll include lever, caliper and hose.
Yeah have you heard of Maguras? You're probably too young.
2cam16 is offline  
Likes For 2cam16:
Old 04-13-21, 04:18 PM
  #11  
Happy Feet
Senior Member
 
Happy Feet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,313 Times in 706 Posts
Originally Posted by 2cam16
Are you sure they're hydraulic DISC BRAKES?
Originally Posted by DETarch
As opposed to what, hydraulic rim brakes
I am curious as well because the op says they need new cables. Could be mechanical, not hydraulic, brakes.
Happy Feet is offline  
Likes For Happy Feet:
Old 04-13-21, 07:41 PM
  #12  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,280

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4253 Post(s)
Liked 3,866 Times in 2,579 Posts
Originally Posted by Bad Lag
Some people,... Well, I guess it takes all kinds.
So I guess your answer is no you cannot explain what is going on? . He asked a valid question. Is it a tick tick tick or is it a constant rubbing or something different? It could be a bunch of different factors and you just being a jerk about it doesn't help.

We are trying to help you but not really giving much info and us not being sure if you have hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes because you do mention cables. If you want help we are happy to help but if you don't want to help us help you and determine what is going on and what we can do to potentially solve the issues then we can't.
veganbikes is offline  
Likes For veganbikes:
Old 04-22-21, 06:29 AM
  #13  
Ryno317
Member in Training
 
Ryno317's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 67

Bikes: '21 GT Aggressor Pro, '16 Norco 7.1 Storm << son's bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by 2cam16
Yeah have you heard of Maguras? You're probably too young.
My son just put a set of Maguras hydraulic rim brakes on his big wheel BMX bike.
Ryno317 is offline  
Old 04-22-21, 07:18 AM
  #14  
prj71
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,601
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2965 Post(s)
Liked 1,167 Times in 763 Posts
Originally Posted by veganbikes
So I guess your answer is no you cannot explain what is going on? . He asked a valid question. Is it a tick tick tick or is it a constant rubbing or something different? It could be a bunch of different factors and you just being a jerk about it doesn't help.

We are trying to help you but not really giving much info and us not being sure if you have hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes because you do mention cables. If you want help we are happy to help but if you don't want to help us help you and determine what is going on and what we can do to potentially solve the issues then we can't.
Well...he edited his post. Initially he stated his disc brakes were rubbing the wheel. Was trying to figure out if he meant rim brakes or disc brakes at that point.
prj71 is offline  
Likes For prj71:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.