New bike, disc brakes

[SLash]

My jamis aurora elite has Avid ball bearing disc brakes. Disc brakes weren't my preference but i can see the advantages, and anyway for 2010 the jamis aurora elite comes with them, so whatcha gonna do.

The brakes aren't operating right, i.e., they are not stopping the way the should... slowed down to a slow roll (on a downhill but still should stop right)

The brakes had a lot of slack which seemed odd, pulling the brake grip as hard as I could too didn't fully stop me. So I looked at the box of stuff that came with my new bike, found the brake manual and lo and behold 2 thingies called "in-line barrel adjuster". They were in a little bag with instructions that state: "When using avid's road ball bearing disc brake in conjunction with road-style levers (my jamis), it is necessary to use in-line barrel adjusters to remove cable slack".

Sounds like my problem, right?

Susan

[ridebikeme]

Your Avid brakes are definiely good quality! There are many adjustments that can be made to alleviate your problem. Did you receive a free check up with the purchase of your bike? Your LBS could fix this very quickly, and perhaps it's part of your purchase price.

[SLash]

Your Avid brakes are definiely good quality! There are many adjustments that can be made to alleviate your problem. Did you receive a free check up with the purchase of your bike? Your LBS could fix this very quickly, and perhaps it's part of your purchase price.

Good to know the brakes are good quality! The bike shop said basically I could bring the bike back for any reason and they will make adjustments, tweak the fit at no charge for a year.

I just emailed them about bringing the bike in on Monday, so hopefully they can get to it then. It's tough having a new bike sitting in the garage, with temps of 68 degrees! The only saving grace is it's real windy.

[Tri Girl]

It's ALWAYS windy in OK- and when it's not... well, it's never NOT windy.

Where are you located? I'm in OKC. VERY pretty day today outside. I considered getting out, but the wind is making me think I might just take the mountain bike out on the trail for some trail time.

Congrats on the new bike. I LOVE the Jamis- sooo pretty!! I hope you get that bike fixed, and then get on out there! The open road is calling.

[pinkbikes]

Don't worry - when they get those disks right for you, you will come to love them!

I took up mountain biking a few years ago and got my first set of disks (hydraulic though) and have since got a tandem with cable disks (and toe overlap btw). I just love those disk brakes, especially when I'm carrying a load. When I go back to riding my roadie I despair over how little stopping power normal brakes have by comparison!

[lunacycles]

sounds like cable slack which can, yes, be fixed by having an inline barrell adjuster installed,

or, you can simply loosen the cable at the brake caliper end and tighten it there.

They are great, easy to maintain brakes. Can be overkill on a road bike, but great brakes if you respect their power.

[SLash]

It's ALWAYS windy in OK- and when it's not... well, it's never NOT windy.

Where are you located? I'm in OKC. VERY pretty day today outside. I considered getting out, but the wind is making me think I might just take the mountain bike out on the trail for some trail time.

Congrats on the new bike. I LOVE the Jamis- sooo pretty!! I hope you get that bike fixed, and then get on out there! The open road is calling.

Yes it is - unbelievably windy! I'm in Edmond. Thanks, I thinks she's very pretty too, just back from the garage oohing & ahhing. I also put her on the rack (that sounds funny) clipped one of my shoes in, turned the cranks, and was relieved to see that with moving the fender in a bit I now have very little toe overlap. Man, if I had brakes I'd have it made! LOL.

It's hard having a new bike and not riding it, plus, I just got my Scott treated to a drivetrain clean (my new definition of spring cleaning) and she looks gorgeous now. I'm also wanting to take her out and see how she rides all cleaned and tuned up. She's a bit jealous of the new Jamis so I feel like I owe her some love.

Our weird winter is nearly over (she said hopefully) so hopefully we will both be able to get back on the road.

Happy riding.

[SLash]

Don't worry - when they get those disks right for you, you will come to love them!

I took up mountain biking a few years ago and got my first set of disks (hydraulic though) and have since got a tandem with cable disks (and toe overlap btw). I just love those disk brakes, especially when I'm carrying a load. When I go back to riding my roadie I despair over how little stopping power normal brakes have by comparison!

Thanks, that gives me hope. I really think this feeling is temporary and isn't even based on riding so basically not based on reality I guess, but in terms of aesthetics, weight, complexity I see the disc brakes as a negative. Not much of one but a little. I mean it's a steel touring bike with fenders and rack so it isn't supposed to be light. From what I've read and been told, it seems at least that once you ride with discs you don't want to go back to rim brakes.

I do like the increased stopping power and for sure with loaded touring we will need them, or at the least they will be a big asset. As I have gotten older the ability of rim brakes to stop me adequately has concerned me. Last summer we were riding in another state with significant hills and I actually turned around because it was such a steep downhill I didn't feel I had adequate control of my speed. I've riding consistently for 20 years as of this year so I know how to brake etc., but I'm just not comfortable going downhill fast anymore, like I used to. So, for that reason alone, I am excited about the disc brakes.

Thanks for your reply.

[SLash]

sounds like cable slack which can, yes, be fixed by having an inline barrell adjuster installed,

or, you can simply loosen the cable at the brake caliper end and tighten it there.

They are great, easy to maintain brakes. Can be overkill on a road bike, but great brakes if you respect their power.

Thanks for the info on how to adjust, I think I'll let the lbs do it next week but good to know.

I get what you mean about respecting their power, i.e., don't overbrake or be prepared to fly over the handlebars.