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Heat Effected Brakes
Hi All,
Hope someone can answer a weird situation to me, and maybe other Riders as well.
I have a '13 Trance X 29er 1, fitted with the factory Avid Elixir 3 Brakes, what I have experienced a few times is that If I happen to leave my Bike in the sun, the Brake Levers feel Really Hard, and also experiencing the Pads engaging on the Discs. Its as though there is no free play left in the Levers, when compared to if the Bike is Cold. I have then moved the Bike into the shade, and after a few hours, the Brakes are back to the way they were as per Factory. I have mentioned this to BA, they removed some Fluid suggesting they were over filled, but now experiencing it again. Any ideas or suggestions is helpful, or maybe its a Avid Trademark.
Darren
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I haven't experienced that on my Avid 9s. Perhaps the fluid needs flushing and replacing completely. DOT fluid (the same as you use in your car) is prone to water absorbtion - the exact term is "hygroscopic".
I'd be looking to replace it annually.
Thanks hawkeye,
Thankfully I am keeping my bike indoors mostly, as said its only happening when left in the sun, its due to go in for a look over shortly, I will again be mentioning it to BA, hopefully they can flush it and replace it. I wish the Bleeding was the same as you do for a car, seem so much easier from what I have seen with the syringes etc, thats for sure. I guess thats why a Car has a Master Cylinder to hold reserve fluid, where its not possible to do it that way on a bike.
The earlier models were apparently a real PIA to bleed, but supposedly fixed for MY2013.
Yup it's hygroscopic by design, moisture can only get in at the caliper or master end and having a brake fluid that can absorb water minimises the chances corrosion and seizing as the water doesn't sit in one spot.
It's good in cars but it's a bit of a wank in bikes, mineral oil systems are the best
Neither of us have really helped but I've never had anything like that, air would expand in the heat more than fluid so it could be bleed time, could be an Avid feature too, you never know
Yes as commonly stated, I think its time for a Bleed, as its weird, only happens when the bike been left in the Sun, then returns to normal after cooling down, yet no problems when riding, thankfully.
Yup apparently not uncommon see this thread http://perthmtb.asn.au/node/45676
Thats good to know there are others out there that are experiencing the same, as previously stated bike is due to go in soon for a check over, will talk to them regarding the problems experienced, and what others are suggesting as well, thanks all for you help.
Darren
i always thought it was just from the brake fluid expanding and contracting in the heat