Whiny Bike Syndrome

[nekosensei]

The brakes on my bike are squealing again. Earlier in the season, I took my bike to a bicycle repair shop, and they did a tune up of the brakes. The problem disappeared for awhile, but started resurfacing again the last time I went out on my bike several days ago and got even worse during today's ride. I did notice that the brakes started squealing while I was on the bike path. Do you suppose that it's dust and gravel that's pissing them off? Other than the noise, they appear to be working fine.

Any thoughts? What should I do?

Also, for the record, I haven't taken my bike out very much this summer until just recently. I've probably gone out on it five times maybe.

Comments

[ladyfox7oaks.livejournal.com]

It's entirely possible that it's brake dirt. Cars will often do the same thing.

[(Anonymous)]

このカルティエのお財布は自分で自分に"Happy Birthday"の意味で買います！
ルイスには別のプレゼントを買ってもらいます。

[bibliofilen.livejournal.com]

I have bike oil which I put on the chain, in the gears, on every metallic joint and so on. It's pretty cheap and can be found in places like hardware stores here in Sweden at least. Are you talking about hand brakes or foot brakes btw?

[nekosensei.livejournal.com]

They're hand brakes.

[bibliofilen.livejournal.com]

I put oil into my hand brakes too and it helps a bit. Foot brakes are safer though.

[fuzzyscribble.livejournal.com]

Lube the calipers. Make sure the rims of your wheels where the brake pad meets the metal are clean...and free of oil.

If you haven't had your brake cables replaced in over five years...take it in for an overhaul at the end of the season.

Also...at the end of every cycling season...discard your old brake pads. The rubber is usually never "high grade" and will harden. Brake pads are pretty cheap and easy to replace. Tossing them at the end of one riding season means you kind of HAVE to replace them the next...

Don't lube your bike with WD-40. Use a silicone or graphite based lube.