Just got my new cross bike today and rear brake squeaks something fierce when they are applied. I also get a shudder in the front when I apply my front brakes. Is this something that will go away with the newness or can something be done. My LBS wasn’t concerned.
Thanks
You need to “toe in” your brakes. The brake pads should be set so that the front edge contacts the rim before the trailing edge. This will eliminate both the squeal and the shudder.
Thanks! I will give it a try.
Brake pad toe-in should help with the squeal but may not do anything for the shudder on the front. I assume the brakes are cantilever style. You need to raise/lengthen the straddle cable connection. Whatever system you have needs to be moved closer to the stem decreasing the length of cable coming down to the straddle device thus increasing the length of cable from this device to the brake arms. Not a great description but it will take away the shudder when using the front brake.
Here is the deal…ignore one of the replies.
Now, if your “feel” is okay when you hit them STANDING STILL…
Take your wrench, get your pads (one at a time) nice and loose. Take two credit cards and put them under the rear of the brake pad - line the pad up with the rim (with the credit cards, or some cardboard of the same thickness or anything that thick) and squeeze the lever HARD. Tighten the pad…do the other. Squeal gone.
As for shudder, is this a “rim has a lip at the seam” shudder or a “my headset is not properly adjusted” shudder?
If the feel is not okay, as in they are soft or what ever when the bike is still…then start looking at the cables.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I just got the bike back from my LBS and they changed the pads. Seemed to fix both problems. Going to take it out later.
Agree - toe them in. I have used nickels, rubber bands and, most effectively, a broken Livestrong band to toe in my cross brakes. David K