Excessive front brake lever travel.

My front brake level travels more than I'd like, even when the adjuster dial is set to 6.
Newish brake pads so it's not that they're worn. What are the options to change this? I'm not confident with many maintenance tasks, esp those involving generally-considered-critial parts such as the brakes, so if it's vaguely risky I guess I'll take it to my dealer.

thanks

[MJC-DEV]

If the brakes lines are a few years old then fitting braided lines hardens ups the brake feel with reduced lever travel.
Assuming it's not 'spongy' due to trapped air of course.

[rictus01]

or it could be something as simple as they need bleeding, perhaps if you had your loction in your profile some local Orger might help you out

Originally Posted by MJC-DEV

If the brakes lines are a few years old then fitting braided lines hardens ups the brake feel with reduced lever travel.
Assuming it's not 'spongy' due to trapped air of course.

I'm pretty sure it's not trapped air (it doesn't feel spongy). I assume that the point of braided hoses is that a rubber hose would expand with the pressure of the brake fluid but the braided hoses would prevent this from happening?
I didn't think that it would change the level travel that much.
Thanks for the recommendation.

Originally Posted by rictus01

or it could be something as simple as they need bleeding, perhaps if you had your loction in your profile some local Orger might help you out

Thanks Rictus.
I don't *think* it's a bleeding issue, but I've put my location in my profile. Thing is, I feel rather guilty about asking someone for help - not really sure why someone would want to give up their time - I'd want to give them something for their time.
And besides, I get all shy and my Tourettes comes out...

[garynortheast]

You may need to clean the calipers and take a look at the seals. The slots in which the dust seals sit can become oxidised. This forces the dust seals out and they "grab" the pistons which prevents the pistons from gradually moving out over time to compensate for pad wear. The lever travel happens because the pistons then have a long way to move before coming into contact with the disc. As soon as you let the lever go the seals act a bit like a diaphragm and pull the pistons all the way back into the caliper again.

Thanks Gary - that sounds good info. Would this normally be looked at by a dealer when replacing the pads (which was done last year and I've not ridden much since then for various reasons)?

Rgds

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by Amadeus

Thanks Rictus.
I don't *think* it's a bleeding issue, but I've put my location in my profile. Thing is, I feel rather guilty about asking someone for help - not really sure why someone would want to give up their time - I'd want to give them something for their time.
And besides, I get all shy and my Tourettes comes out...

it quiet simply really what could take a novice hour to sort out by themselves or mean a dealer visit, can with a little help be an easy fix or at least identify what needs doing, all goes to save you money.

I've been teaching bike mechanics & maintenance for over 30 years and never once asked for payment, normally my terms are, once you've learnt how to do something properly you pass that knowledge on to some other needy person.


Cheers Mark.

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by Amadeus

Thanks Gary - that sounds good info. Would this normally be looked at by a dealer when replacing the pads (which was done last year and I've not ridden much since then for various reasons)?

Rgds

dealers wont strip brakes unless asked to, they will just simply fit pads.

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by rictus01

once you've learnt how to do something properly you pass that knowledge on to some other needy person.

but some people just don't learn and still make a mess of things.