I'm using Paul's short pull linear brakes instead of canti's on my Ritchie Swiss Cross. They works work great. I'm not an expert on disc brakes, but I believe my Paul's rim brakes compare favorably to discs in most situations I ride. With the KS Salmon pads, they work well -- even in the rain. Recently, the brakes have started to squeal. This seems to happen when the humidity is high, but not when it is raining or the roads are wet. They also squeal after I've washed the bike -- even though I've thoroughly cleaned and dried the rims and pads. After riding a few miles however the squeal tends to lesson. It seems like a thin layer of road crud on the rims and pads alleviates the squeal. I've ordered a pair of KS salmon/black pads to see if that helps. Anyone else with experience with the KS Salmon's have any other suggestions. As I said - they work great in the rain on wet roads.
It's most likely that the toe-in is off. I have a similar setup and found a trick that has completely eliminated squeal.
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\nWhen first installing the pads, take the thin cardboard package and fold it in half, then stick it under the rear part of brake pad (with the pad not fully tightened) and compress the brake, sandwiching the cardboard between the rim and the rear portion of the pad. While the brake is still compressed, tighten up the brake pad.
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\nRepeat the process for each pad. This almost always gives me proper toe-in and no squealing.
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\nThe salmon pads need to be slightly angled in the front toward the rim. It can be tricky to get just right but this trick makes it much easier. By booting the thin cardboard under just the rear portion of the brake shoe and compressing the brake before fully tightening, created the proper angle.
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\nThe KS pads and PAUL brakes are an excellent setup.
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bikepunksondope wrote:It's most likely that the toe-in is off. I have a similar setup and found a trick that has completely eliminated squeal. When first installing the pads, take the thin cardboard package and fold it in half, then stick it under the rear part of brake pad (with the pad not fully tightened) and compress the brake, sandwiching the cardboard between the rim and the rear portion of the pad. While the brake is still compressed, tighten up the brake pad. Repeat the process for each pad. This almost always gives me proper toe-in and no squealing. The salmon pads need to be slightly angled in the front toward the rim. It can be tricky to get just right but this trick makes it much easier. By booting the thin cardboard under just the rear portion of the brake shoe and compressing the brake before fully tightening, created the proper angle. The KS pads and PAUL brakes are an excellent setup.
Thanks for the suggestion. Actually I did that (I used a plastic credit card) when I initially installed the pads. They worked very well until a few weeks ago. I'm glad you reminded me about the toe in. The pads may have been bumped out of alignment when doing maintenance -- or perhaps due to pad wear. I'll re align them and see if it helps. After trolling the Internet for suggestions, a lot of folks suggested switching to the KS black/salmon pads. I bought 2 pairs but haven't installed them yet. They may be a better choice for the dry conditions I normally ride. Love the MiniMoto's though.
Many people recommend those black/salmon compound but my experience leads me to think otherwise. The salmon pads have great stopping power in a variety of conditions and when toed in property won't squeak in dry conditions.
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\nNormal wear can affect toe in position and lead to squealing as can dirty braking surfaces.
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\nI also love my mini motos.
bikepunksondope wrote:Many people recommend those black/salmon compound but my experience leads me to think otherwise. The salmon pads have great stopping power in a variety of conditions and when toed in property won't squeak in dry conditions. Normal wear can affect toe in position and lead to squealing as can dirty braking surfaces. I also love my mini motos.
I re-aligned the Salmon pads -- work well again. I did notice that the Salmon pads are showing a lot of wear though. Probably the reason I had to re-alingn to toe in. I suspect I'll have to replace them soon. Especially when I head north in a few weeks and start riding mostly dirt and gravel again. Since I already purchased the black/salmon pads, I'll try them as well. Thanks again for the help.
