r/Surlybikefans • u/ChazzR • 29d ago
Avid BB7 brakes on straggler vibration Straggler
I've had a straggler for about a month. My brakes started screeching and vibrating. I tried cleaning them up with rubbing alc but they kind of got worst. I already took it in but wondering if anyone else had similar issues?
1
u/2nickels 28d ago
Same. Switched to different brakes the the vibration went away immediately.
I've use BB7s on other bikes with no issues, but I could never get them to work right on the straggler.
1
u/sir_binkalot 28d ago
I had a similar issue on my straggler with the Hayes calipers that was solved by switching to Shimano ones. Maybe take it to your local shop that knows Surlys and see what they have to say!
-3
u/legsandlungsmedia 28d ago
Bikes make noise. I’ve seen pro disc(s) make the sound you’re describing. Also has to do with braking technique. Holding brake with certain tension = noise. Pump the brakes = no noise. I prefer pumping brake technique, as it seems to make them last longer.
4
u/ChazzR 28d ago
Bikes make noise?!?!? Come on man I’m not an idiot.
1
u/legsandlungsmedia 27d ago
Why assume or project my pointing out “bikes make noise” holds idiotic implications? No need to take it personal. Don’t shoot the messenger 😂
4
u/ScottinSC 28d ago
BB7's are just fickle. Question: was your bike bought "complete," or did you or a shop build it? I've had BB7's on 4 bikes. On the 1 that I bought complete, it had vibration and screeching issues. On the three I built myself, no issues at all (including a new Straggler I just built up in July). And I don't claim to be a great bike mechanic. The complete bikes are of course assembled at a factory and they don't test or "bed-in" the brakes. Bedding in new disc brakes is SOOOO important for eliminating the two issues you're having.
Regardless of how the bike was built up, I would loosen the two bolts holding the brakes to the frame, retighten. Back out both of the adjustment dials until you basically have very little braking power. Tighten them back down, a little bit at a time until you start to scrape the rotor. Now it's time to try bedding them in. You can Google this, but you basically get the bike up to speed and do hard stops. You have to do this over and over, maybe up to 10X. It's basically scoring the pads and rotors together, so they memory of each other. I would start with this. Past this, you might need to buy some organic pads, clean the rotors, and do the bed-in process again.
Best of luck. I feel ya. I loathe squeaky disc brakes!