Centering vs. toe-in for brake rub: my recent win

Many insist on toe-in for brake rub, but centering worked for me today. This small win makes me wonder about your preferred approach.

4 comments

4 Comments

janah833mo ago

My buddy had the same brake rub fight last month. He spent forever trying toe-in before just centering the pad, and it fixed everything. Sometimes the simple fix really is the right one.

skyler_jackson273mo ago

But toe-in ISN'T just some old trick. It angles the brake pad so the front part hits the rim first. That stops that awful squealing noise when you brake hard. Centering the pad might fix rub if the caliper is off, but toe-in fixes noise and wear. I had a bike that rubbed until I did both, centered and toe-in. Sometimes you need the full setup, not just the simple fix.

spencer_owens583mo ago

Actually saw a bike magazine that suggested toe-in is best practice, but your result speaks for itself.

william_garcia2mo ago

Yeah that "best practice" line from the magazine reminds me of my friend's new bike. He read that toe-in thing and spent a whole afternoon trying to get it perfect with a business card. The rub was still there, driving him nuts. Finally he just loosened the bolt and shoved the whole caliper over a tiny bit. Silence. Sometimes the magazine fix is for a different problem than the one you actually have.

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