Brakes! How are yours?

O.K., as requested, a thread dedicated to brakes.

Who wants to write the definitive brake manifesto? Volunteers?

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If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.

Personally, all three of the motorized bikes I've built had only rear coaster brakes. Not the best set up, however, I do live waaaay out in the boonies and don't have a lot of riding where I couldn't just coast to a stop.

I realize a lot of you ride in the city or more congested areas where good brakes are more than just a good idea.

I'll be the first to admit I know nothing about bike brakes except the cable pull type and some of the variations of those, and coaster brakes.

Pad types?
Brake types?
Disc?

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If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.

I've got some link's about brakes in my favorites, maybe it will get something started.

Video:Http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-cantilever-brakes/

Articles about brakes:Harris Cyclery Articles About Brakes

Brake Maintenance Video: YouTube - Bicycle Brake Maintenance Video

Bicycle Repair - Adjustment bike brakes

U-brakes: YouTube - How to Repair Bicycles : How to Adjust a Bike U-Brake: Bicycle Repair

Clean disc brakes; YouTube - How to clean disc brakes on a bicycle

Disc brake conversions: Brake Therapy Disc Brake Conversion

Exellent!!!!!

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If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.

Great links.....I'm thinking the dual lever as it's kinda a pain to have the front on the clutch side........I've heard good and bad about it....input ?

On the subject of coasters - mine will work hard enough to lock the back wheel - I dont think they are inherantly unsafe and they are pretty much weatherproof which is a great advantage.

On the subject of pads for rim v-brakes - I spent the equivalent of $50 for the ones I use - they are kevlar based and bite strong enough to strip little bits of metal off the rims.... and they dont fade at all in wet weather... the make model is Clarks VRC code CVBP1 - you get a set of 4 pads & shoes and the used up pads can be removed and replaced in the mounted shoe..

On the subject of duel levers. Yes there is less flexibility there - however with judicious setup you shouldnt have a problem. My tip is to set the back brake to the top lever - or to whichever one you will use first - that means braking force is imparted to the rear before you use the front brake which usually is the one imparting most of the braking power. back brake first means less force moment on the front and therefore less likelyhood of a face-meets-pavement lockup

Jemma xx

I always liked the coaster brakes because they were simple and never failed.
The down side to them is that 80% of your braking is done with the front wheel- if it's equipped with brakes.

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If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.

I have had my coaster brake fail, coming down Mt. Lemon after the Death Race. The hub got hot and just stopped working, I had to jam my foot between the tire and seat post tube to stop. And you know what is really really bad? I still have not added front brakes! Shame on me

I still don't wear a helmet or have front brakes!!!!!!

I don't even have a motorized bicycle right now!!!! I rode my bike without a motor for the last two days!!!!!!!!

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If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.

Wild eyed rebel biker... fat marlin brando on a ten speed with a tiny little engine. . That has got to be one of the silliest images I have had in a month. Thanks for the laugh guys.

Opps was supposed to be in helmets again. Sorry

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