Disc brakes sound

[Becky]

Truing rotors is a pain in the *bleep*, even with shop tools. Been there, done that.

[lph]

Is it when the fork or the wheel is moving (compared to the rest of the bike)?

Probably the brakes, but a squeal when the fork is moving relative to the bike indicates something in the headset.

[Catrin]

I will take it today. It just had the new bike tuneup two weeks ago, but yesterday was my first chance to take it out. All I did yesterday was practice riding in circles, figure 8s and several of the body positions they taught me so I doubt I did anything to it...

I could be wrong, but I think it was when the fork was moving...

[lph]

Easy check: stand still, apply the front brake, and see if you can get that squeal just by moving the fork. If you can, it's not the brake.

Immobilizing the fork and moving just the wheel is a bit harder though. But if it happens every time you brake it probably is the brake.

[Catrin]

I called my LBS, they think it is just the brakes. I will try LPH's test when I get home today.

Edited: I did try her test, and the LBS is right. It is just the brakes, it doesn't happen when I am holding the front brake. Guess there is a lot more to discs than I knew

I do need to schedule some time at the LBS at some point and learn how to take care of them properly...

[Catrin]

Took the mountain goat to the LBS today to have them check my brakes. They were quite busy, but went to the trouble of explaining the process of how disc breaks break in and what has to happen. They also said that I have a light touch on the brakes which makes it much more likely to have noise The wrench couldn't really duplicate what I've noticed. It was very helpful and, most importantly, I know there is nothing wrong with my bike & I am not hurting it. If the noise continues after the breaking in process is complete then we will likely replace the semi-metallic pads with organic, but time will tell. They think they can actually do that under warranty if it is called for.

I love my LBS, they never talk down to me and I always leave understanding more than when I walked in the door.

[lph]

Cool! I find disk brakes a bit confusing. They're supposed to be less maintenance once you have them dialed in, but I find them finicky to adjust and especially to troubleshoot. The nice thing about v-brakes is I can take them off the bike, take them completely apart, find the problem and put it all back together again quite easily.