Rear brake problem only 40 miles

CyclingMike

New Member
I just bought a M1 Sporttechnic R Pedelec. I just jumped on the bike to go for a ride and when applying the rear brakes I'm getting a grinding, crunchy feel. I adjusted them and the pads are still new and the problem persists. I took to local bike shop and they think it's a heat transfer issue due to weight of the bike. They recommend replacing the pads and rotor.
Is this possible being brand new?
Thoughts appreciated.
 
Heat transfer? Maybe if you were riding the brakes the entire way. I doubt weight has anything to do with it; the brake is a four piston caliper made for e-bikes. I suppose you might try swapping the front and rear pads and see if the problem shifts or changes. Clean the rotors well when you do this; I like to use White Lightning Clean Streak. Isopropyl alcohol is okay too. Also, you might have a caliper alignment problem, which could explain a grinding crunchy feel. When you look at the pads and rotor, does it appear the pads are completely parallel to the rotor?
 
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I guess they aren't hydraulic? Who assembled the bike and centered the pads? Did you inspect the pads? Any uneven wear? Sand or grit imbedded in the pads? Any discoloration on the rotor? What diameter of rotor? What brand brake pads? What compound?
 
Noisy brakes suck, esp on a new bike.

Looks like this has Magura MT5e hydraulic brakes? With this level of brake I wouldn't think it's heat or weight related, but JMO.

Since you've adjusted the brakes it sounds like sand or grit has gotten between the pads and the rotor. Can you get it up on a stand and spin the wheel? Same noise? If so, remove the wheel and blow out the caliper with compressed air. Remove and inspect the pads. Inspect the rotor. If there's no damage, clean the rotor and pad surfaces with alcohol. Install the cleaned pads and pry against them with plastic tire levers or a tool like this.; https://www.parktool.com/product/hydraulic-brake-piston-press-pp-1-2. This will push the brake pistons back as far as they will go giving as much clearance for the pads as possible. This shouldn't be necessary for a new bike, but I edited this in so you can try everything in some logical order.

Install the wheel and test again for noise. If it persists it may be the rotor that's out of round and/or not centered correctly, i.e. more brake adjustment.

Does the noise get louder at the same angle of rotation? If so, the rotor needs to be trued. You can use an adjutable wrench but a tool like this: https://www.parktool.com/product/rotor-truing-fork-dt-2 , is better. There are several good online videos on this technique.

If the noise is more or less continuous as the wheel rotates, the caliper is most likely not centered on the rotor. The basic technique is to loosen the caliper mounting screws, squeeze the brake and tighten the screws. Test for noise. If it still persists you need to fine adjust the caliper over the rotor and/or true the rotor as above. There are videos on this as well.

This can be an interative process so be patient.

In any event, I'd suggest a new LBS, or at least a new tech.
 
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Congratulations you have a speed pedelec that exceeds 45km / h theoretically reaches 70km / h, ¿can you confirm range ranges, how do you use it and if you reach 70km / h? ¿Did you do mountain climbing?
 
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