Braking Feel?

[Foot]

Couple of questions, are my back brakes knackered if they barely slow the bike at all? I never use them unless I'm doing less than 30, and even if using them at 15 or 20 they take a silly amount of time for me to even notice them in use. So in practise I use them only when coming to an actual stop.



So when riding outside of 30 speed limits I only use the front brakes. I know you should use something like 70% front, 30 back, but the back as I say really seems to make any difference. Do you use your back brake much?



Every once in a while I practise emergency stops for peace of mind, experience and moreover cause it's fun to slam the brakes on! When you feel the front juddering, am I right in thinking that's the front just about to lock? Surely it's not the back wheel lifting up?

[maviczap]

Your back brake needs a service, new seals and a good clean. get the crud off the piston, its probably seized

I've just done mine after similar symptoms

[JulesW]

Rear might need pads, fluid or bleeding or all three.

[mep]

Get some new seals, strip and clean then. I have just done the same with mine an it made a real dfference. The back caliper is more difficult to strip and clean compared to the front IMO as the pistons are opposed. If in doubt at least take them off and take them to a garage. You won't regret it.

[NTECUK]

Front wheel lock. I usually notice the front suspension unload /pop up.
Best practice it out of the way.

[Foot]

Front wheel lock. I usually notice the front suspension unload /pop up.
Best practice it out of the way.

Thought as much, I was sure the brakes wouldn't be good enough to bring the back up.
So is this optimum braking, just before the wheels about to lock? Or is that too close to the wheel locking and will end up taking longer to stop?



Best practice it out of the way.

Of course, I don't think drivers look too kindly to emergency stops for no reason...

[NTECUK]

You can do a stoppie on the SV with standard brakes if they are in good condition.
Stoppies are just a stunt not how to slow fast.

Your max brake power is squeeze the brake not jam it on. Just before the lock point is max deceleration.

[Sid Squid]

The back caliper is more difficult to strip and clean compared to the front IMO as the pistons are opposed.
Bike in avatar is a Pointy, so it's even easier than the front - only one piston.

You won't regret it.
True.

[Jayneflakes]

Bike in avatar is a Pointy, so it's even easier than the front - only one piston.

It so easy to pop out the single piston using the master cylinder to pump it. Another reason to love the pointy. :smt041

I have just done mine and used an old bottle of brake fluid to pump the piston out. I have not done this job for a couple of years and the filth build up was shameful. I admit it, I was lazy and it nearly cost me the price of a new piston. However it cleaned up and polished well, combined with red rubber grease and nice shiny seals, the movement on the piston is so smooth it should be in a white suit on the disco dance floor! :thumbsup:

[NTECUK]

Still the frame on the pointy looks like a rough night in Brighton

[Foot]

Your max brake power is squeeze the brake not jam it on. Just before the lock point is max deceleration.

Okay, this sounds good and how it feels when I'm practising. And the couple of times I've actually had to use it.
I just thought if the bike is juddering and skipping maybe the braking isn't the most effective, but this is good.




And everyone else has convinced me I need to sort it out and clean my brakes properly! It will have to wait a week, off to Manchester in an hour.

Thank you :cool:

[NTECUK]

Yes your be surprised how mucky they get
Its a minimum once a year check if you want the best.

[mep]

It so easy to pop out the single piston using the master cylinder to pump it. Another reason to love the pointy. :smt041

Bike in avatar is a Pointy, so it's even easier than the front - only one piston.

Wish my curvy had this caliper. It was a bit of a bugger of a job as one piston was slightly seized but I got there in the end. And I have learnt another difference between curvy and pointy.