Cyclists: other cyclists with squeaky brakes -

[teuchter]

When I hear a cyclist with squeaky brakes I think 'fuck's sake sort it out' because very often it's something like this causing the noise. Not always, sometimes it's just that the pads have got contaminated with oil or whatever, but either way a squeaky brake means an inefficient brake and brakes are the one bit of your bike you really want to be efficient at all times.

so it means you should replace the brake pads, then?

 

[nadia]

I have slight squeaky disc brakes (help!!). But defintely annoyed by squeaky chains

 

[Orang Utan]

Something's clicking on my bike

 

[weepiper]

so it means you should replace the brake pads, then?

not always, sometimes they just need cleaned up with a bit of sandpaper and refitted adjusted properly and the rims cleaned with degreaser.

 

[teuchter]

does washing up liquid count as a degreaser?

 

[fredfelt]

Grindy brakes are another matter (as I discovered years ago after having to buy a new wheel)!

Now, if my bike make any other noises than a sweet purrr it gets immediate attention.


In my last place of work on occasion I've put a bit of oil of an unknown bike - I've also chatted to people and suggested they may like to pump their tyres up etc. I've fond memories of that bike shed - I met a partner there

 

[tendril]

I have squeaky brakes. Whatcha gonna do about it?

grease them when you're not looking

 

[Cid]

Missed opportunity for 'sandpaper your rim'.

 

[plurker]

does washing up liquid count as a degreaser?

it'll degrease, but usually has salt in it so will accelerate rusting

 

[gentlegreen]

Just back from my fast ride and got into a fun race with this skinny kid on a road bike whose saddle was way too high - he should have wiped the floor with me but was having to get off the saddle to put any power in ...
I took OU's advice and kept schtum...

 

[Agent Sparrow]

The brakes on my bike have always squeaked in wet weather. They did when it was brand new, they do straight after a service even if the brake pads have been replaced Tbh it doesn't seem to have coincide with braking power problems, so at this stage I just wonder if it's an idiosyncrasy of the bike*. Anyway, I don't care about other cyclists with squeaky brakes, but I feel very conspicuous about mine!

*In fact compared to my last one, it does have quite a few niggles and problems that need to be sorted fairly regularly, despite it being the next bike up in the same series.

Edit: I think my saddle is also too low but I'm aware of it and tbh the only thing getting in the way is laziness on my part. You can all hate me now

 

[quimcunx]

you are an awful person, AS.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

I am. I'm a very naughty girl

 

[gentlegreen]

It creeps up on you ... or rather slides down slowly.
I let my saddle drop last month until the point where I could feel it in my muscles and worried I might really hurt myself..

Today's ride started off with this young girl on an MTB - overdressed and with the saddle so low you could see her pulling on the handlebars with each stroke ..I thought ahead to the 20 miles I was about to do and imagined what it would be like riding that bike .
I left her to it ....

 

[a_chap]

Managed to avoid the rain today by setting off at half-past midnight instead of 6am.

 

[gentlegreen]

I probably actually winced as I passed this woman yesterday.

To think she may ride her bike like that every day .... I suspect she'll give up sooner rather than later.

 

[fractionMan]

My brakes are ok but my bottom bracket sounds like a coffee grinder. Not sure if this is more or less annoying for people who get annoyed by this stuff.

 

[Orang Utan]

I probably actually winced as I passed this woman yesterday.

To think she may ride her bike like that every day .... I suspect she'll give up sooner rather than later.


View attachment 22687

What's she doing wrong?

 

[gentlegreen]

What's she doing wrong?

You said you cycled 100 miles a week ?

 

[Orang Utan]

I do. I just don't watch other riders as weirdly and obsessively as you do.

 

[Orang Utan]

(i can't see much detail in the picture btw - maybe if I had a monitor I would see something)

 

[weepiper]

her seat's too low. Judging by the hi-vis and the clothing she's a relatively new cyclist and probably feels wobbly about having it higher. She'll work it out at some point. It doesn't appear to be putting her off.

 

[Orang Utan]

Loads of people prefer to have their seats that low, that's why I didn't think anything of it

 

[Orang Utan]

Some kids have their seats ridiculously low, but I think their bikes were meant to have low seats. It must be a fashion thing. Or are they trick bikes?

 

[TruXta]

Yes. For longer distances you'll murder yourself with a seat that low. No biggie if you're just cruisin'.

 

[gentlegreen]

her seat's too low. Judging by the hi-vis and the clothing she's a relatively new cyclist and probably feels wobbly about having it higher. She'll work it out at some point. It doesn't appear to be putting her off.

She looked like she was riding a kiddies' bike - I never had my saddle that low in all the years I've been cycling and my sense of balance / vertigo is terrible. I got straight on a 10 speed at 27 ..
I did however get groin strain from having the saddle on my sit up and beg hybrid only slightly too low.

 

[Orang Utan]

Yes. For longer distances you'll murder yourself with a seat that low. No biggie if you're just cruisin'.

That's the way many commuters ride. I'm always passing commuters going less than 10 miles an hour

 

[gentlegreen]

Still painful to watch. Not sure where any power's coming from - even at less than 10mph.
There's this guy I've seen twice now who cycles with his heels in a sort of Penguin (Batman) stance.

 

[Hocus Eye.]

That's the way many commuters ride. I'm always passing commuters going less than 10 miles an hour

Perhaps thats because they are in cars.

 

[teuchter]

her seat's too low. Judging by the hi-vis and the clothing she's a relatively new cyclist and probably feels wobbly about having it higher. She'll work it out at some point. It doesn't appear to be putting her off.

Is a hi-vis vest the mark of a new cyclist?