Ask the experts

[EWG]

Doesn't matter. Pads will bed into the angle of the rotor based on whatever angle the caliper sits at.

Squealing should go away once you get them bedded. If not, then you just have a bad rotor/frame mount/caliper combo. But squealing before pads are really bedded in is normal because the pad surface isn't flat against the rotor yet.

The two main cures I've found for squealing brakes are realigning the caliper to the rotor (related to above comment) and cleaning the rotor. Other stuff: I've had some mechanic friends try sanding the pads with mixed success. Make sure there's no crap embedded in the pads. Finally, all else fails, clean the rotor very well and replace the pads.

No grease near rotors or pads ever ever ever. Keep your pads clean.

[kidwoo]

heh

I spill fork or brake oil on my pads all the time. Just gotta burn it off with some good ass draggin brake hanging sections.

Can't say I remember any grease incidents though.

[simple]

If I replaced rotors with pads I'd be fucking broke.

Clean your rotors with alcohol once in a while. True with a crescent wrench. They should last for years. They have minimum thickness printed on them (sometimes)

[jm2e]

I used to be able to wear the IceTech rotors down to the alloy core. That's always gratifying.

[El Chupacabra]

Here's my ask the experts question: when the side knobs tear off on the Schwalbe Nobby Nic that I currently have on the rear of my hardtail, is the tire going to hold air still? A bunch of the knobs are tearing from the base - undercut, basically.

I got this stupid tire for cheap, but it sure didn't last long. Was pretty good for a couple rides, then got sketchy as summer trails got loose and dusty. If the knobs stay in place, I can use it for another month until winter sets in, then put on a fresh tire and new sealant in the spring. I'd rather not have to walk out of a trail with a shredded tire though.

Quoting myself because I'm an an expert. Or stayed in a Holiday Inn last night...

Replaced the worn down Schwalbe with a Maxxis Tomahawk that I had (came with the bike, thought I'd use the older Schwalbe first since it was sitting around for a couple of years). Tomahawk doesn't look like a tire I'd choose to buy, as the center knobs don't look great, and the side knobs are inexplicably shaped - but very well supported down the side.

One ride in, and it's like a whole new bike, even on loose rocky stuff that I thought it wouldn't grip well on at all. Happy.

TL;DR - Schwalbe sucks.

[HAB]

That Tomahawk looks like a tire that was designed in MS paint using clip art. Which Schwalbe tire did it replace?

[skaredshtles]

That Tomahawk looks like a tire that was designed in MS paint using clip art. Which Schwalbe tire did it replace?

IIRC it was a Nobby Nic.

Which, yeah... sucks giant donkey nuts.

But I'm very surprised that a Tomahawk is much better. Must be the compound. 'Cause you're right about the tread. My wife has one as a rear tire, and it's fine for her use, since she doesn't corner, or go fast, or ride any rox.

[HAB]

Oh god.

Someone get Chupacabra a real tire. What wheel size are we talking here?

[Boissal]

True with a crescent wrench.

That simple uh? I have 2 slightly bent rotors and I've been aligning the calipers to get around the issue because I'm worried if I start trying to bend the rotor back I'll end up with a huge wobble.
Guess I'll give the crescent wrench a try tonight...

[skaredshtles]

Oh god.

Someone get Chupacabra a real tire. What wheel size are we talking here?

IIRC, he rides loose over hard for the most part.

I have no suggestions...

[HAB]

That simple uh? I have 2 slightly bent rotors and I've been aligning the calipers to get around the issue because I'm worried if I start trying to bend the rotor back I'll end up with a huge wobble.
Guess I'll give the crescent wrench a try tonight...

Be careful and go slow, but that works pretty well if you're methodical about it.

But yeah, if you fuck it up you can make a mess too.

[HAB]

IIRC, he rides loose over hard for the most part.

I have no suggestions...

If it's 26" I for sure have some charity tires to keep him from dying. Maybe 27.5" too, I'd have to dig through the pile.

[EWG]

Be careful and go slow, but that works pretty well if you're methodical about it.

But yeah, if you fuck it up you can make a mess too.

Helps to drink while you do it.

[smmokan]

Ask the experts

I happen to like the Nobby Nic as a rear tire for out west... good combo of decent grip and fast rolling.

[toast2266]

I happen to like the Nobby Nic as a rear tire for out west... good combo of decent grip and fast rolling.

And by the 5th ride, it rolls even faster because all the knobs have ripped off.