The stock front v brake on my Cyclamatic has always had problems with squealing.
Adjustment and cleaning would lessen the squeal, but it's still been there in the background to p*** me right off. Excuse the language
Usually to the extent that i would not use the front brake and end up locking the rear.
So i gripped the bull by the handlebars and decided to do something about it.
Modifying to discs were out, not cost effective on essentially a £350 bike.
After reading that brake squeal is caused by the brake block gripping and slipping on the rim intermittently, causing audible vibrations, i changed the blocks.
Jagwires made with an anti squeal compound.
Well these definitely made a difference, but the squeal was still there on the last few seconds before stopping.
Then after getting caught in a light rain shower, it got worse. Back to square one
I looked closely at the front v brake assembly and could see and feel that the components were a bit naff.
£10 poorer and 2 days later, a new Shimano Acera front assembly arrived through the post via eBay. It came complete with new Shimano blocks too!
I had already stripped the other non branded brakes from the bike, and instantly i could see that the Shimanos were much better quality.
After fitting and a good test ride, i can say these made a huge difference. No squeal and really good stopping power. I even sprayed water on the front of the bike and still no squeal and good stopping power.
I can see why Shimano have been in the bicycle game for decades. They really do offer great quality for the price and are cost effective for upgrading components.
Adjustment and cleaning would lessen the squeal, but it's still been there in the background to p*** me right off. Excuse the language
Usually to the extent that i would not use the front brake and end up locking the rear.
So i gripped the bull by the handlebars and decided to do something about it.
Modifying to discs were out, not cost effective on essentially a £350 bike.
After reading that brake squeal is caused by the brake block gripping and slipping on the rim intermittently, causing audible vibrations, i changed the blocks.
Jagwires made with an anti squeal compound.
Well these definitely made a difference, but the squeal was still there on the last few seconds before stopping.
Then after getting caught in a light rain shower, it got worse. Back to square one
I looked closely at the front v brake assembly and could see and feel that the components were a bit naff.
£10 poorer and 2 days later, a new Shimano Acera front assembly arrived through the post via eBay. It came complete with new Shimano blocks too!
I had already stripped the other non branded brakes from the bike, and instantly i could see that the Shimanos were much better quality.
After fitting and a good test ride, i can say these made a huge difference. No squeal and really good stopping power. I even sprayed water on the front of the bike and still no squeal and good stopping power.
I can see why Shimano have been in the bicycle game for decades. They really do offer great quality for the price and are cost effective for upgrading components.
