mechanical disc brake problem

[noob-to-29]

i just got a fisher cobia(the 29er) and whatever kind the disc brakes are im not sure, but at one spot on the hub they rub and make a reallllllyyyyyyy annoying squeak (like discs often do) and if i back them of then they dont apply till the lever is halfway to the bar???? any ideas on fixing it?:p

[ripnshread]

The brakes are Avid BB-5's.

The first thing you should do is take the bike back to the dealer where you bought it and have them fix it for free. Sounds like it wasn't tuned correctly.

If you want to try to fix it your self start by making sure the wheel is securely in the dropouts by releasing the quick-release lever and putting some downward pressure on the bike while re-tightening it. Next spin the wheel and look down at the rotor. Is it warped? If it is, first check to make sure all the rotor bolts are correctly torqued, then try slowly bending back the warped part using your hand or an adjustable wrench open to the width of the rotor. Use small adjustments and little force as it does not take much to bend the rotor.

Now your brakes have to be readusted. I can walk you throught this too but you should really have the shop do all this work for you. You just bought the bike and it should have been done correnctly the first time. Also, if you think you may have caused the problem most shops have a "free tune" or something that this would be covered under.

[rockyrider]

The cheaper roundagon rotors they began shipping on the OEM BB-7's and BB-5's aren't near as flat as the ones that had lots of holes in them. I've noticed the same thing, they tend to have a wobble, much like Hope disc rotors tend to.

[mountaindew]

This brings up a good point: who makes the best rotors? I have to agree that the older style avid's are better than the roundagons.

[brown group]

thicker, cheaper, dead flat

work great with my bb7's

[Spalls]

First it's a squeak. Next it'll be the dreaded woodle. Take it back to the bike shop.

[FoCoBorder]

Now your brakes have to be readusted. I can walk you throught this too but you should really have the shop do all this work for you.

Would you mind posting a small walkthru on adjusting disc brakes. I just bulit my first rig with some juicy 7's, and I can't quiet get my front caliper centered right on my rotor?
Anything would be helpfull:D

[nogearshere]

Would you mind posting a small walkthru on adjusting disc brakes. I just bulit my first rig with some juicy 7's, and I can't quiet get my front caliper centered right on my rotor?
Anything would be helpfull:D

loosen the bolts on the caliper body, the caliper should then move freely on the convex/concave washers.

apply the brakes 4/5 times. using your hand (better a rubber band) hold the lever compressed. tighten the caliper bolts. remove band (or your hand) and visually check, they should be centered nicely.

[myron]

loosen the bolts on the caliper body, the caliper should then move freely on the convex/concave washers.

apply the brakes 4/5 times. using your hand (better a rubber band) hold the lever compressed. tighten the caliper bolts. remove band (or your hand) and visually check, they should be centered nicely.

with a bidness card folded in half on each side of the rotor between the pads like William does...

Bonza larrikin that William.

[nogearshere]

loosen the bolts on the caliper body, the caliper should then move freely on the convex/concave washers.

apply the brakes 4/5 times. using your hand (better a rubber band) hold the lever compressed. tighten the caliper bolts. remove band (or your hand) and visually check, they should be centered nicely.

EDIT:
rocky I HATE those rotors. absolute crap. i need the wackometer to get them aligned EVERYTIME. do enough a week it gets olde. so they win, i switched to juicys so i can get the sweeps...bollocks!