Front Brake Pads not stopping on Rocket

[Sprawling]

I have the stock Alexrims/Daig rims on my 2002 Rans Rocket. I'm real tall at 5'4" so the seat is
closer up. I changed the stock brakes (sram 7.0) with Avid Arch Rivals. I did a search on this
group and all I came up with is how everyone has squealing problems. Mine does not squeal, just
that the front brakes do not stop unless you use a lot of pressure on the lever. The back wheel
requires little pressure and skids out. I have cleaned and degreased the rims. Immediately after
they work great--then after several stops they return to not stopping. I have adjusted the pads in
all different fashions, toe in, toe out, level, and even swapped with the old pads and still have
the same results. The pads on the Avids say Kool Stop, the rear says Dina. I have swapped the front
and the rear and nothing changes. Yes, I have lubed the cable, housing and all the usual stuff.
What next?

Sprawling--Utah

Rans Rocket 2002 EZ-1

 

[Jeff Wills]

[email protected] (Sprawling) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> I have the stock Alexrims/Daig rims on my 2002 Rans Rocket. I'm real tall at 5'4" so the seat is
> closer up. I changed the stock brakes (sram 7.0) with Avid Arch Rivals.

Did you swap just the brake *caliper* or the caliper and brake lever? The Avid levers have
adjustable leverage (the little knob pointing away from the clamp). It might be turned all the way
to the minimum leverage, maximum travel position (which is correct for the Arch Rivals). Try turning
up the leverage.

Also- what did you use to degrease the rims? I've had poor results after degreasing with Simple
Green- I had to reclean with rubbing alcohol to get good grip.

If all else fails, replace the pads with Kool-Stop "salmon" color pads... not black, not red,
but the high-friction salmon color. They're my choice and the choice of bike messengers here in
rainy Portland.

Jeff

 

[Guess Who I Am]

Hello: get yourself some aztec ultra v-brake pads you will not regret it. they sell for about 13.00
a pair. Thank you Earl GRR,RANS V2 Ti Rush,Ti Pursuit

 

[Ben Fox]

It sounds like the seat is too far forward because you are a little too short for a Rocket. I say
this because i tried one out a few years ago and thought I was too close to the steering mast for
comfort,and I'm 5'7". Being too far forward puts most of your weight on the front wheel,this is why
the rear wheel locks up so easily and the front won't. Not too many brakes will lock up a wheel that
has enough weight on it,which is the way you want it ,skidding wheels are unsafe. If you are
comparing the the brakes stopping power by the wheel locking up up not,it's not a brake problem! ben
fox "Sprawling" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have the stock Alexrims/Daig rims on my 2002 Rans Rocket. I'm real tall at 5'4" so the seat is
> closer up. I changed the stock brakes (sram 7.0) with Avid Arch Rivals. I did a search on this
> group and all I came up with is how everyone has squealing problems. Mine does not squeal, just
> that the front brakes do not stop unless you use a lot of pressure on the lever. The back wheel
> requires little pressure and skids out. I have cleaned and degreased the rims. Immediately after
> they work great--then after several stops they return to not stopping. I have adjusted the pads in
> all different fashions, toe in, toe out, level, and even swapped with the old pads and still have
> the same results. The pads on the Avids say Kool Stop, the rear says Dina. I have swapped the
> front and the rear and nothing changes. Yes, I have lubed the cable, housing and all the usual
> stuff. What next?
>
> Sprawling--Utah
>
> Rans Rocket 2002 EZ-1

 

[Jeff Wills]

[email protected] (Jeff Wills) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> [email protected] (Sprawling) wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
> > I have the stock Alexrims/Daig rims on my 2002 Rans Rocket. I'm real tall at 5'4" so the seat is
> > closer up. I changed the stock brakes (sram 7.0) with Avid Arch Rivals.
>

Whoops- first thing to check. Make sure the two vertical arms aren't bottoming out against each
other. This has frustrated me on some V-brake setups where the brake bosses were wide apart and/or
the rim was narrow. The brake pads come with thick and thin washers to correct this- but I've had
setups where they weren't enough.

Jeff

 

[Sprawling]

Well I think I solved the problem. Sanding the rims with 50 grit aluminum oxide cloth did wonders.
So far the bike appears to stop like a normal bike. Now if omly I was able to grow a little to have
normal weight distribution so the rear wheel does not slide out. Thanks to all for the few
suggestions.

Sprawling

Rans Rocket 2002 EZ-1