New Dawes Galaxy

[Polite]

Hello

Just bought a new Dawes Galaxy (photo attached - any excuse!). The money I saved meant I fitted a Brooks saddle too by the way.

Anyway, to cut a long story short the brakes have been squeaking, a lot, when I apply them since I picked it up last week. I was told it's something to do with a new coating (not sure if on the pads or wheel) because the bike is new.

I don't remember my old, new bike's brakes squeaking so much when I bought it many years ago. Is it normal, will they stop within a breaking in (excuse pun) period?

Thanks.

 

[fossyant]

You have to toe cantis in. Slacken the pads off, insert the edge of some stiff card at the rear of each pad and tighten up. What happens is the front of the pad contacts the rim first and takes out any slack in the cantilever brake as the pad tightens down on the rim, reducing any squeal.

They do need re-doing every so often as the pad wears.

 

[john-boy]

i like that. i remember my old man restoring an original dawes galaxy when i was a kid. lovely bike

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Really great touring bikes...good job with the brooks...get some sand paper and rub the rim facing side of the brake pads a touch to roughen them up.

 

[Cycleops]

Would be a bit reluctant to sand paper the rims, rather try fossyant's trick of toeing them in first then try some fine wet and dry if that doesn't work.

 

[Herzog]

Would be a bit reluctant to sand paper the rims, rather try fossyant's trick of toeing them in first then try some fine wet and dry if that doesn't work.

BoaB means to sandpaper the brake pad, not the rim. Good advice though, as you write, toeing in is the first step.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Yes....the brake pad not the rims!!
Pointing the front of the pad in is best, sanding the shine off PADS can be done easier on a ride with the little bit of paper in a puncture kit. It just stops the squeak.

 

[jazzkat]

Nice bike
My galaxy squeals like a pig if I don't toe it in, then its perfectly silent.

 

[Polite]

You have to toe cantis in. Slacken the pads off, insert the edge of some stiff card at the rear of each pad and tighten up. What happens is the front of the pad contacts the rim first and takes out any slack in the cantilever brake as the pad tightens down on the rim, reducing any squeal.

They do need re-doing every so often as the pad wears.

Do you mean toe in the cantilever brake pads?

 

[fossyant]

Yes the pads

 

[rovers1875]

Nice bike. Must admit I do like tourers