There is probably nothing worse than the fact that EVERYONE in a 40 mile radius knows when you are Mountain Biking because of squealing MTB Brakes.
At one point every mountain serious mountain biker will experience this embarresment. In some cases squealing brakes can get so bad that you even decide not to go on a ride.

 

Fix squealing MTB Brakes 

There are many reasons why brakes start squealing, but by far the main reason is “Contaminated brake Pads” and / or “Glazed Pads

Contaminated brake Pads usually get contaminated due to for example brake fluid running onto the pads / rotor.. I always bleed my own brakes, and I like to think I am careful, but eventually you will get oil on your pads and or rotor. Once your brakes / rotor is contaminated, then you have zero brake power.

Glazed / Shell Pads usually happen when you have been on a trail that needs a lot of braking.. for example a fast downhill section. The brakes get so hot it can cause a very thin layer of glaze / shell to cover your pads.. Although in this case you will still have some braking power, it often comes with the dreaded squeal. A quick trail fix for this is to use use your camelbak to spray some water over the brakes and rotor, followed by a handful of sand.

A less common reason for Squeal can be a loose rotor and or a rotor that is not aligned properly, and minor vibrations can cause Brake Squeal.

Cleaning contaminated brakes, and / or Glazed / Shell Pads is actually pretty simple, cheap and the best news is, it works!!

Here is how I get my brakes working like new again… Now before I continue, I would like it to be clear that I am NOT a mechanic, and I’m not saying that my way is the proper way.. I’m just sharing my own personal method and experience. I would love to hear from others how YOU clean your brakes.

This method is the exact same for both front and rear brakes.

Time needed about 20 min per brake

 

 Fix squealing MTB Brakes

 

Tools needed:

  • 1 small plastic bin ( large enough to fit your rotor )
  • A cup of Ammonia and a cup of boiling water.
  • A small soft wire brush
  • A cloth
  • A pair of pliers
  • Tool to undo the Rotor and loosen the brake caliper.
  • Gas cooker / oven

 

First undo the ( usually) 6 screws that hold on the rotor – remove the rotor from the wheel – put the rotor into the plastic bin, and add the cup of ammonia and the cup of boiling water.
Leave the rotor covered and continue to remove the brake pads.

Once the pads have been removed, use the soft steel brush and some of the amonia from the plastic bin and scrub the pads, scrub for about 30 sec. per pad.
You will notice a huge difference after scrubbing.

The next step is to give the pads a “Heat Treatment” I myself use a Gas Cooker, and heat the pads for
about 40 sec. each, holding the pad with the pliers moving the pad around while heating it.

** You can also slowly heat the pads in an oven at about 200C / 400F for 30 minutes

While the pads cool of you can dry the rotor and fix it back into place ( don’t touch the rotor with your greasy fingers)

The final step is to put back the pads, make sure everything is fastened properly.

 

Congratulations your brakes will be as good as new and without the squeal.

 

 

 

 

[sws_green_box box_size=”920″]Before I carry on with all the juicy details about the GO, I would like to say that I am in no way at all affiliated with this product or with Sylvansport. I really wish I could say I own a GO, or that I was getting paid a lot of money for writing about this fantastic product… however that is not the case. The only reason I am sharing this info with YOU, is because the GO really is the coolest lightweight camper that is ideal for us Mountain Bikers and everyone else wanting to travel lightweight but at the same time with comfort.

The GO looks sweet, it very compact, very sturdy and lightweight, it can be pulled by any car, no matter how small it is.. Dude, you can even hook it to your steed and pull it!!.. OK, maybe not a good idea, but you get the drift.
I can guarantee you, when you rock up with your GO with a couple of steeds fastened to it, YOU ARE the “Dogs Bollocks” .. and for all you single fella’s out their, the GO is a “Babe Magnet”  ( or so I have been told ) just don’t tell your bird ‘cos that will mean the end of  your Trail weekends with the mates.

My advice to all the thrill-seekers, adventurers, pioneers, explorers or whatever you call yourself, get yourself a GO now, before everyone has one.     [/sws_green_box]

 

GO – the coolest lightweight camper ever!!

 

This is the most unique camping and travel trailer you’ll ever find. GO was designed from the frame out to be a one-of-a-kind mobile adventure trailer that’s even more versatile than a Swiss Army knife. It’s lightweight and easy to manage in the parking lot, garage or on the road. Weighing in at 840 lbs, GO can be pulled by even the smallest cars. Best of all, GO is imagined, designed, engineered, created and assembled right here in America. GO is extremely well made and crafted to last.

Beyond its beautiful surface you’ll find that no design element was left untouched. The tent sets up in minutes and stows cleanly into the roof’s storage box. It also comes equipped with a weather-tight gear box that locks to keep your weekend camping essentials secure and ready for whenever you go.

Read on to see why GO is in a class all its own. We also have downloadable technical drawings illustrating ‘GO’s dimensions as well as sleeping, eating and seating configurations.

GO is for fun. Our crack design team made GO selfishly for themselves. But I guess that’s okay, because like a lot of us, they’re into every imaginable outdoor pursuit. We love to camp, boat, bike, surf, sleep, and indulge in just about any other activity that includes family, friends, adventure and fun.

GO is flexible. Mobile Adventure Gear is more than a trailer. Like a Transformer™, it changes from a sleek, low-profile, you-hardly-know-it’s-there trailer, to an ATV-hungry hauler, to a secure, comfy camp in just minutes.

GO carries the load. It easily hauls, stores and organizes all of your toys, from boats, to bikes, to moto-machines and even tools and garden gear. So whether it’s a spur-of-the-moment mini vacation or a trip to the home improvement megastore, GO works. And it’s smart!

GO gets around. With its LED lighting, custom wheels with high-floatation tires, and intelligent suspension geometry, GO is easy to hook up to your tow vehicle and easy to tow—even by first-time-towers.

GO light. At 840 lbs. GO can be towed by almost any vehicle out there. This efficient ‘backpack on wheels’ allows you to have the benefits of an RV without the gas credit card.

GO knows. From GO’s hyper-engineered™ all-aluminum frame, to its Thule-compatible rack system, to its Kelty tent structure, GO is the most refined small towable ever.

GO ships from our factory ready to hit the road!

 

TRAILER FEATURES

  • Low profile design for minimum drag and super fuel efficiency
  • All aluminum, fully tig-welded, hyper-engineered™ frame 
  • Torsion suspension for smooth load control 
  • Very light weight at 840 lbs. 
  • 13” ground clearance and high flotation tires for off-road use 
  • UV resistant plastic storage boxes for years of maintenance free watertight storage 
  • Waterproof gear storage in top camping pod 
  • Lockable waterproof gear storage in front storage pod 
  • Rack system frees up space from your tow vehicles’ roof rack 
  • Rack system compatible with Thule, Yakima, Malone and all other major brand accessories 
  • 1000 lb. load capacity 
  • Control-Tilt™ cargo bed with pneumatic dampening system 
  • Easy to own with very low-maintenance 
  • Excellent suspension geometry and handling characteristics make it easy to tow 
  • Self lubricating hubs 
  • Cast aluminum wheels 
  • Spare tire 
  • LED lighting for safer, long lasting service 
  • Reinforced diamond-plate flooring for heavy loads (up to 1000 lbs) 
  • Waterproof electrical system suitable for use as a small boat trailer 
  • Multiple tie-down points 
  • Multiple configurations for carrying gear

CAMPING FEATURES

  • Innovative Kelty tent system 
  • Insulated bed platforms for snug sleeping 
  • Stargazing windows 
  • Excellent ventilation 
  • Custom self-inflating air mattress from Pacific Outdoor Equipment 
  • Equal to a King-size and a half of sleeping surface 
  • Secure entry awning with optional larger awning 
  • Zippered entry/ screen door 
  • Multiple living space configurations 
  • Torsion Axle Suspension

 

 

SEE A GO

Where can I see a SylvanSport ‘GO’? We are constantly working to ship GOs all over the US and Canada. If you’d like to see a GO in-person, click on a location near you, give us a call at 828-883-4292 or email us at info@sylvansport.com and we’ll show you a GO.


View Where to see a GO in a larger map

 

 For more and updated info about the GO, visit www.sylvansport.com 

 

 

SylvanSport's Coolest. Contest. Ever. Adventure Contest!

 

SylvanSport’s Coolest Adventure Contest Ever!.  

SylvanSport's Coolest. Contest. Ever. Adventure Contest!

 What’s your ultimate dream adventure? Mountain biking in Moab? Kayaking the class five rapids of the Appalachian foothills? Star-gazing in Bryson Canyon?

There’s no better way to adventure than with your favorite gear in tow. A Swiss Army Knife of campers, the SylvanSport GO[link to www.SylvanSport.com] is the ultimate adventure aid. A GO can hold up to 10 kayaks or 6 bikes, or all your camping and a few surf boards, or an ATV and rock climbing gear, or…well, you get the idea!

In 250 words or less detail your GO adventure in this online contest for bold and creative outdoor adventure junkies—that means YOU—and you just might win a chance to GO on the adventure of a lifetime and win thousands of dollars worth of GEAR. We’re talkin’ an Orbea bike, kayaks, tents, sweet backpacking packs, headlamps, hammocks, sleeping bags, car racks, and much much more.

ENTER, and tell us what your epic plans are for a gear-heavy GO expedition AND how you would promote your adventure. Blogging? Stop-motion photo stream? Sky writing? Tell us!

The three best answers win a hooked up gear package worth up to $5,000 from primo outdoor sponsors including Orbea, Yakima, Kelty, KEEN, Black Diamond, Wenger, Jackson Kayak, SPOT, and Grand Trunk Goods. Winners also get the GO itself for up to three months to live and document your adventure story. The most epic and well documented resulting adventure of the three finalists keeps the GO itself and bonus gear from our sponsors-That’s the GO, thousands of dollars worth of gear, major online publicity, and bragging rights.

Contest ends May 31st 2012, but don’t wait! Each week contestants are automatically entered into weekly giveaways for more great gear from our sponsors! The earlier you sign up, the more chances you have to win prizes.

What are you waiting for? ENTER NOW!!