Shimano Direct Mount brakes, brakes are rubbing, can't adjust clearance

Triathlon Forum
1

I noticed that my rear brake pads are rubbing against the tyre. Oddly enough I don’t hear the rubbing sound on the home trainer, only when I am outside and usually at mid to slow speed and when climbing.

I am running a Shimano Ultegra Direct Mount BR-R8010 rear brake that is actually mounted to the bottom of the bike frame.

I read up on the Shimano manual and it says to adjust the “self-locking nut”. However, there is none on my bike.

I read somewhere on a forum that these brakes have incredibly small clearance and one person suggested to remove the spacer between the callipers and the brake pads. So I removed these on both brakes, and while it’s not rubbing as much, I still hear some rubbing noise when I am on the road.

My tyres are not perfectly true so that is part of it, but as you can see in the photo the brake pads the clearance is ridiculously small.

Here are photos of everything:

Any suggestions on what to do?? Should I leave the spacers?

FYI the cables are brand new Jagwire Pro Elite. I had the bike professionally assembled at a shop.

https://preview.ibb.co/nhyji7/Screen_Shot_2018_02_18_at_6_52_52_PM.png
https://image.ibb.co/egJs37/20180218_180642.jpg
https://image.ibb.co/dsqGVn/20180218_180638.jpg
https://preview.ibb.co/mdjzi7/20180218_180536.jpg
https://preview.ibb.co/mvn8bS/20180218_180619.jpg

2

If it is in fact rubbing on the tyre then do not ride it.
The cable is routed wrong.
This is causing friction and your brakes are not releasing fully.

3

If it is in fact rubbing on the tyre then do not ride it.
The cable is routed wrong.
This is causing friction and your brakes are not releasing fully.

I hope not. I just paid 367 dollars to get the bike assembled by one of the top bike shops in my city

4

If it is in fact rubbing on the tyre then do not ride it.
The cable is routed wrong.
This is causing friction and your brakes are not releasing fully.

I hope not. I just paid 367 dollars to get the bike assembled by one of the top bike shops in my entire country.

Maybe take it back there and get them to set the brake up properly?

5

If it is in fact rubbing on the tyre then do not ride it.
The cable is routed wrong.
This is causing friction and your brakes are not releasing fully.

I hope not. I just paid 367 dollars to get the bike assembled by one of the top bike shops in my entire country.

Maybe take it back there and get them to set the brake up properly?

Let’s see if someone can come up with a fix. I went back there like 3 times already after they did my bike. I think they’re getting tired of me.

6

It is also missing a screw from the front derailleur guide.

7

first thing you shd do is to move the shim thats i next to the braking shoe to the OUTSDIDE
.

8

first thing you shd do is to move the shim thats i next to the braking shoe to the OUTSDIDE

Can you explain this more? What’s a shim?

9

When u unscrew the pad holder put both washers outside the arm
.

10

When u unscrew the pad holder put both washers outside the arm

I see. I will try that. But that make the brake clearance smaller, so how would it fix the problem of the wheel rubbing against the brake pads?

11

No currently you have one inside next to pad holder and one outside, you need to have two outside
.

12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5cRzvw5r7M

You may need to increase your spring tension.

13

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5cRzvw5r7M

You may need to increase your spring tension.

That is exactly the brake system I have. However, there is no CB90 quick release as you can see in the photos.

14

Does your bike have horizontal or vertical dropouts?

15

Does your bike have horizontal or vertical dropouts?

Look at the photos. I am not sure what you mean. It’s a Shimano Ultegra Direct Mount brake system.

16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5cRzvw5r7M

You may need to increase your spring tension.

That is exactly the brake system I have. However, there is no CB90 quick release as you can see in the photos.

I have the same setup as you, without the CB90 the only way you can adjust clearance is by releasing the cable from the brake and try to clamp it down again with the right slack. Order the quick release and have it installed.

17

I have heard of a few other people with this issue. I know one of the Cyclingnews guys had to shave a mm off each brake pad to allow for the proper clearance. Maybe try that?

18

Why go trough the trouble of shaving the pad when having and adjuster will allow to set the clearance with a few turns?
The brakes open wide enough to allow a 25mm tire to go trough so I don’t think is a matter of the brakes not opening wide enough, is just that he can’t adjust them. The adjuster will also be useful as the pads wear down during their life.

19

There are some instances out there where the user also has very wide rims and the caliper was not opening wide enough with or without the adjuster. They shaved 1mm off each pad and it worked to provide the required clearance to prevent rubbing. It is just something to consider

20

There are some instances out there where the user also has very wide rims and the caliper was not opening wide enough with or without the adjuster. They shaved 1mm off each pad and it worked to provide the required clearance to prevent rubbing. It is just something to consider

Thanks everyone.

All my wheels/tyres are 25mm. The Shimano Direct Mount should be compatible.

But you are right, I am missing the adjuster. I just spent 360 dollars to get this installed, no way I am spending more money on this bike.

Is there any way to adjust them slightly without the adjuster or having to file the pads?

I will put both spacers on the outside as someone here suggested.