Disc brakes squeal loudly when wet

[cpml123]

This past Saturday was the first time my S40 has been in the rain since I bought it 2.5 years ago. The weather forecast was only 10% rain, but I guess we got the 100% of the 10%. :-(

Overall the disc brake's performance was fine. They stopped the bike well. However, they also squealed very loudly when first applied. My other friends who rode other brand/combination of disc brakes did not squeal as loudly. It was so loud that it served as a bell to warn the pedestrians to move to the side. It did get better after a couple squeezes - I guess because the water got squeezed out of the rotors. When the brake is dry, it doesn't make any noise at all.

I have TRP Spyre mechanical disc brake with Ultegra disc rotors and Truckerco metallic brake pads. I am wondering if the squeal is due to metallic disc brake pads. Do others have similar issue? I don't intend to change the pads as they work fine when dry, and I don't ever want to bike in the rain again. Wet biking is so miserable.

 

[Greg S]

I've found metallic pads do tend to squeal more when wet. "Organic" pads less so but the stopping power isn't quite as good - still better than rim brakes, just not as good.

I use metallic and put up with the squealing. Cleaning both the rotors and pads periodically (isopropyl alcohol, clean cloth) helps a lot.

 

[rx7mark]

cmpl123,
Which TruckerCo pads are you using the sintered metallic or the or the organic semi-metallic? I use the semi-metallic pads and have very little noise wet or dry. I have never tried the sintered though. I thought the semi-metalic pads were better than the TRP pads that came stock with the Spyre's, especially in the rain, but those are the only other pads I have tried. The web site description for the sintered pads even says "prone to noise" and for extreme conditions.

Mark

 

[cpml123]

cmpl123,
Which TruckerCo pads are you using the sintered metallic or the or the organic semi-metallic? I use the semi-metallic pads and have very little noise wet or dry. I have never tried the sintered though. I thought the semi-metalic pads were better than the TRP pads that came stock with the Spyre's, especially in the rain, but those are the only other pads I have tried. The web site description for the sintered pads even says "prone to noise" and for extreme conditions.

Mark

Hi Mark - I am using the sintered metallic pads. I guess I didn't read the description that it's "prone to noise." They ain't kidding about that. Very noisy when wet. They do stop the bike well though. I guess I will change to semi-metallic pads when current pads wear out or when I decide to venture into another rain ride, hopefully never, even though I live in Seattle area.

We should go ride together sometimes before the perpetual rain starts again.

Michael

 

[Robert Holler]

Sadly - welcome to the world of bicycle disc brakes. Good suggestions above on pads, etc. Some pad and retro combos squeal more than others as well - its all a trial and error game and local climate plays a huge part as well. What doesn't squeal for me in Portland might be the exact combo that would wake the neighborhood in a more humid climate.

Robert

 

[rx7mark]

Hi Mark - I am using the sintered metallic pads. I guess I didn't read the description that it's "prone to noise." They ain't kidding about that. Very noisy when wet. They do stop the bike well though. I guess I will change to semi-metallic pads when current pads wear out or when I decide to venture into another rain ride, hopefully never, even though I live in Seattle area.

We should go ride together sometimes before the perpetual rain starts again.

Michael

Hi Michaell, I would love to go for a ride together. PM me and we can exchange contact info.

Mark