2007-09-28 11:27:35 · 7 answers · asked by jay b 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Definitely don't use WD-40, or any lubricant, on brakes! It can soak the brake pads, and it WILL coat the rim, so that you have no braking power at all.
To stop your brakes from squeaking, they need to be set up so that they are toed in. It is a common mistake to line them up flush with the rim - DON'T DO IT. That's what's making them squeal in the first place. Toeing in means setting up the brake pads so that the front of the pad (NOT the trailing edge) contacts the rim first when the brake lever is squeezed. The harder you squeeze, the more of the pad's surface is pressed against the rim. The difference is that the pad isn't fully applied all at once, which causes much more friction and makes pads squeal.
Please note that even a properly toed-in set of brakes can still squeal when the rims, the pads, or both are brand new. Give it about a dozen good stops at speed to wear that off.
2007-09-29 04:46:32 · answer #1 · answered by flexiblewill 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I assume you are talking about non-disk brakes as you mention road bike. What you most likely have is brake pads out of adjustment. the trailing edge of the brake pad should touch the rim first --making the brake pad pull and not vibrate. It is amplification of that vibration in the bike rim causing the squeaking. Don't put WD-40 on your brake pads. It contains silicone that will decrease your stopping ability. Learn more here http://sheldonbrown.com/home.html or here http://www.parktool.com/repair/
Stop and squeak no more!
2007-09-28 19:57:25 · answer #2 · answered by McG 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try undoing the brake pads so the are just loose then line them up nice and straight and even, ok then hold the brake so it is on and then do the brake pads up tight. This is the same thing you do with disk brakes but it works with V brakes too.
2007-09-29 11:33:23 · answer #3 · answered by fat_barber 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absoulutely never use any kind of lubricant on your brake pads. You most likely contaminated your brake pads and they need to be replaced. Once you get new pads the best way to break them in is to find a big hill and ride down it with your hands on the brakes just enough to get them to rub on the rim and break them in.
2007-09-30 10:44:22 · answer #4 · answered by collegekid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont use wd40 i done it on mine years ago and the braking took adges to stop use brake fluid keep it topped up or change pads if rusty and shitty good luck
2007-09-28 18:36:07 · answer #5 · answered by mark g 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
if your bike is new it won't until your wear them in by road bike do you mean push bike i've never heard of a road bike
2007-09-28 18:32:43 · answer #6 · answered by lynsey m 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
try taking it to a shop
2007-09-28 18:35:57 · answer #7 · answered by Kubaker1 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋