Brake/Fork Chatter... lube the rim?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Blondie on December 3, 2009 at 10:49am

I'm also interested in what you used for a shim. I've noticed that my Kore Carbon Ti's have a bit of play on my fork (note. there is no play on the rear brake).

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Permalink Reply by Ian Parker on December 14, 2009 at 9:53pm

Had enough chatter on my Giant TCX to scare the heck out of me.
Installed the little brake cable "Problem Solver" from Jenson USA and a set of old mountain bike Vee brakes......WOW.
No chatter and awesome stopping power. Nice firm feel as well. Do I want to go back.....not likely.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Biker on September 10, 2009 at 2:15pm

For what it's worth, I have the same fork but only a teeny tiny issue with chatter, but for me it's more of how the fork flexes under braking. The EC90X seems to have more of a snap than a smooth linear flex (like the steel IF fork I used to run). I have a 55cm Planet X with TRP's, Zipp Carbons with TRP's carbon pads. I wrote about my experience with the "chatter" on my blog. It's a tish long winded, but maybe there'll be an ah-ha moment for ya in there.

Here's an except-link to post below: " I think tire construction, the grippiness of brake pads, tire pressure, fork rake and even the hardness of the ground play an equal role. I would go even as far to assume a tubular with a soft cotton sidewall and latex inner tube (like a Challenge or Dugast), would cause more carbon fork snap than say a Tufo or Vittoria with a thicker sidewall and standard rubber inner tube."

http://thebestbikeblogever.blogspot.com/2009/08/cyclocross-carbon-f...

Joe

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Permalink Reply by Bob Nunnink on September 13, 2009 at 2:36pm

Customer who rides a redline and my gf both had the same problem. Our shop mechanic tried a number of solutions from new wheels to new forks. Only solution that worked was to replace the brake with a different brand. Avid shorty 6 solved it both times

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Permalink Reply by Surly Bastard on September 16, 2009 at 8:09am

I have a Easton Fork and it seems to be a little better with the chatter problem than my Ritchey WCS. That said I've found that the culprit many times is some goo, glue, brake snot, or something sticky (you don't want to know) on the rim that "grabs" and starts the chattering. That said (I like saying "that said" today) I've also found that the only time brake chatter is bothersome is when I'm riding around need to brake hard or just a grab a handful to see if I have chatter. That said, I never brake hard in a cross race, unless somebody crashes in front of me, and hence (which is literally like another word for "that said") if I'm experiencing brake chatter while racing, I'm not riding efficiently and I'm being a complete idiot on my turn entries. Less brake, more flow, don't scrub off the speed, JUST GO! Try some mineral spirits on the rim with one of those little green dish scubber-thingies. That usually works. Oh, and stay off the brakes. That always works.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Dolan on September 16, 2009 at 7:15pm

I recently trashed my training wheels, so I replaced the set. Immediately after putting on the new wheels, I noticed quite a bit of chatter right off the bat. I hadn't changed anything else in my setup, so that narrowed it down to wheels and brakes. Every set of wheels needs a different brake pad adjustment, and in some cases different pads altogether.

I would mess around with the positioning of the brake pads. I took me a few tries, but after messing with the pad position, I eliminated the chatter 100%. There can be many causes of chatter, but start with brakes, the easiest to eliminate. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Szczukowski on September 16, 2009 at 9:22pm

Alpha Q CX20 that's my solution, this is the 1st cross rig that doesn't shudder,chatter or squeal like a pig (Ciamillo GX don't hurt either), and I've had some nice rides.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Hodson on September 19, 2009 at 5:27pm

Don't use the front brake?

Disc (damn the UCI)?

Kool Stop pads?

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Permalink Reply by CO Crosser on September 20, 2009 at 6:45pm

I currently run older Avid Shorty 4's. I was in a shop last week and they said the TRP's with their sealed bearings/pivots pretty much eliminate this issue.

Can anyone confirm that their problem diminished or disappeared when going with TRP's before I drop some coin just to find out it didnt solve the issue?

Thanx!
CO Crosser

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Permalink Reply by andrew on October 3, 2009 at 12:11am

CO Crosser,
You might reduce your chatter with TRP EuroX brakes, but that's not because of sealed bearings (they don't have any) or sealed pivots. The bushings aren't really any different than most brakes. They might be a better fit on your bosses than the Shorty 4s, might not. They're still great brakes, but if you reduce your chatter, it's likely because the wide-profile shape simply has less leverage (and more clearance) than a low-profile model brake like the Shorty 4.

Someone suggested lubing the rim - I wouldn't recommend that for sure. Mix some oils with water and you'll have a really tough time slowing down for a bit.

Raising the straddle someone else suggested really does help - but it's for the same reason as switching to wide-profile brake - you're totally completely your mechanical advantage with a high straddle.

Be sure to see Issue 7's in-depth article on brakes, brake pads, and brake-setup. And we'll have more in Issue 8.

Also, as others have mentioned, clean rims help, toe-in helps, reducing brake play helps, and making sure the two brakes hit the rim at the same time is key.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Tonkinson on September 21, 2009 at 9:54am

First cross race went well, at least as far as the chatter problem is concerned. I opted for some Shimano 105 (non-cartridge) brake pads/studs on my Tektro Oryx brakes, and did a light steel wool job on the front rim, toed in the brakes, then applied a light coating of motor oil on it. (I get the name of toed in and out confused... but I put the trailing edge of the brake closer to the rim by about 1mm, so whichever that is). No chatter, but the course was uber-flat and fast, so there wasn't much reason to brake except lightly before turnarounds. Still chattered a little at low speeds on the road though. Out of town now so I can't mess with it further at the moment unfortunately.

For what it's worth, I finished mid-pack in my first B's race, so can't complain about that.

Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions!

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Permalink Reply by mpapet on September 29, 2009 at 6:52am

Has anyone tried a *very* old-fashioned cantilever brake-bridge? I don't even know if one would fit on a cross bike, but hacking one up hasn't been mentioned yet.

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