RidingMatthew

well 3.98 miles into my commute it completely locked the rear brake. I could NOT get it loose. I am taking it to the bike shop today. so frustrated with the brakes/ bike

rumrunn6

that is indeed frustrating, what did you do? walk back home?

fietsbob

commute with tools.. With a pocket multi tool you could just un hook the cable & take the brake off, the frame..

arriving late can get you sacked.

mcours2006

Could be the caliper arm seizing or piston. Could probably still get it to work somehow, but this time of year when it's -15*C, that's easier said than done.

Skipjacks

I'm baffled. That does not sound like a weather related problem.

It sounds like a broken caliper problem. It's just odd that it happens while riding and not at home.

If it was frozen due to the cold it shouldn't be THAT locked up. I mean how much ice can there be?

Plus I'd think you'd be able to force the caliper open as it wouldn't have to push against the cable.

The only weather thing I can't think of is that the cold shrank the metal in the caliper so the parts no longer fit properly. But that doesn't sound like a real thing. That is me grasping at straws. While it's true the cold will cause the metal to contract it shouldn't be THAT much.

no motor?

The other thing I would look at is the lubrication of the piston, caliper and sliders. ASSuming the cable it lubricated and the isn't any water inside it then it sounds like the caliper is not releasing. Silicone or a special lubricant is used on automotive systems, does it look like your calipers etc are lubricated? How does the front brake look?

RidingMatthew

@rumrunn6 I called for ride home. Got home showered and took my son to school and arrived to work only 20 minutes late. (less than I expected)

@fietsbob that is true tools would be good to have but a couple circumstances to point out... it was 18F and I was not about to start taking the bike apart on the side of a busy road. Plus work is pretty forgiving. I have to stay late to make some time up no biggy.

With my hands in gloves I could not get the arm to release the brake. The lever certainly felt loose and wiggling (compared to normal) In regards to the rear caliper vs the front. Front has worked no problem in the cold. You would think it would be colder being out front and all. What was weird was that this was not a big hill I guess the temps of the metals had gotten down to cold enough that whatever is happening happens. (I need to be able to ride my bike in these kind of conditions). The past two days have been in 26F and 18F in the morning. what would cause the metal to get stuck when that cold and then loosen up when warmer?

we had taken my car to the shop too so we were already down to one car for the day.
PS rode home yesterday with no problem. It was in the mid 30sF

fietsbob

Its typically warmer here.. But when it ices up I get out the drum brake hub bike*.. its been reliable for 30 years..

*it wears the studded tires..

RidingMatthew

it is typically warmer here too. haha i never had this problem with my old commuter and its cantilever brakes. :\ i did not think i would have as much problem with this bike as I have.

rumrunn6

my similar brakes have been fine in the mid-high 20s. I'll bet after a mech looks at it, they'll get it rolling reliably again. the sooner you get it to a bike shop the sooner you can ride it. or take it apart yourself, nothing to lose, if you can't fix it, you can still bring it in. if you can fix it, you'll be riding this weekend!

RidingMatthew

not riding this weekend freezing rain and 30's are the forecast.. NC seems to have forgotten what makes NC nice... SO MUCH STUPID PRECIPATATION

rumrunn6

yeah that giant mess is sliding South of us. Saturdays are my usual ride days but tomorrow looks a bit brisk! gonna take my time getting out & it will probably be for only a cpl hrs

no motor?

I think a lack of lubrication has something to do with the problem. Something isn't able to slide like it should causing the brakes to stick.

RubeRad

More specifically (if you haven't solved this already), don't just buy any hydros and use DOT fluid, buy hydros that are spec'd to use DOT fluid.

Shimano hydraulics all use mineral oil. In my climate I much prefer that, as you can get it on your hands and paint and it's not harmful. But in temps like yours if the mineral oil could freeze, then brakes that use DOT fluid would be preferable. That would include IIRC all SRAM (Avid) hydraulic disc brakes.

RidingMatthew

RidingMatthew

fietsbob

TRP Hy/Rd. uses mineral oil but has no hoses,, because master ,actuated by the cable being pulled, and the 2 slave pistons are, combined, in that caliper ,

wolfchild

Upgrade to BB7s, they are the best mechanical disk brakes around. Well worth it and it's not all that expensive.

fietsbob

HyRd were an upgrade from BB7 for me.

RidingMatthew

Thanks for sharing this I have heard they are really nice. I thought it was mineral oil but I think that there is something in the old caliper that is freezing up. I hope hoping the dual sided caliper will fix the issue. Seems crazy that the caliper would freeze and limit my riding in the cold before my clothing and body temp does.

Ged117 

With this year being my fifth commuting through the winter season, it was about time this happened on my Norco Indie foul weather bomber with run of the mill Tektro mechanical disc brakes. The rear worked in the warmth of indoors, but a few kilometers into the ride it would freeze up. I replaced the cable and made sure to thoroughly lube the newbie with good oil. Works just fine now at -15c or colder. I've been eyeing the Sturmey-Archer five speed disc hub to replace the drivetrain now that it is quite worn. Winter is hard on bicycles.

fietsbob

You have 0 hose length on the HyRd..

fully mechanical Spyre ans Spyke are also double acting,, 1 arm operates 2 pads , both moving to the disc...

RidingMatthew

shouldn't have to do that or i should say it should be good since the bike was brand new in August 2018 (new to me anyway)
definitely going to ask them to remove the cable and inspect and lube up nicely

fietsbob

"late & alive > (but sacked/fired because you are late?) early & dead." (tired?)




It happens..





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RidingMatthew

WHat? i already said they are pretty understanding so far I have not been terribly late anyway. There are still people who come in closer to 10am