What would make disc brakes grab ?

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello all,

On my rescued from the scrap man recycled MTB I'm having a little bit of trouble with the front Disc brake, When you apply it it tends to grab quite badly , I've rounded off the front leading edge of the pads but this has had no affect, What else could I look for ?

Thanks all

 

[Cycleops]

A new caliper and pads is the answer and make sure it's a reasonable quality one. TRP Spyre ane good and most anything Shimano should be fine. Have a look on eBay. I'm assuming they are cable activated.
If it was put out for the scrap sounds like it's a cheap BSO (bicycle shaped object). Cheap disc brakes hardly ever function well, you're better off with more reliable V rim brakes. You might consider it's not worthwhile spending on it, it's your call.
Any chance of a few pics of the bike?

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

It was put out in a fairly affluent area where the owner obviously had no clue how to maintain it and decided to just buy another, It looks as if it has had very little use and is at the high end of the cheap bike market being a Carrera.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Funding "new caliper and pads" for a 'rescued from scrap man' bike (which looks very tidy) seems totally disproportionate, and does not actually address the OP's Q.
Remove pads and sand them off (assume they have life left).
Cap the cable.

 

[All uphill]

Tektro IO brakes got decent reviews so I wouldn't be in a hurry to replace them.

Maybe remove and clean calipers and replace pads. Check cables are moving freely. Clean discs before replacing.

 

[Cycleops]

So not so much a BSO then and worth knocking into shape.
I've a few bikes with Tektro discs and are not wonderful but should be able to provide reasonable stopping.
As said first replace the pads and replace the cables greasing them.

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

Tektro IO brakes got decent reviews so I wouldn't be in a hurry to replace them.

I've had a few bikes/repaired other people bikes that had had them and they always seem o.k. I'll try some new pads/cables and a good clean up and let you know how I get on .