Burning smell from brakes - Good or Bad?

[wheres_my_beard]

When I brake hard my brakes smell like burning rubber; is this something to worry about?

I use (Tektro R316) caliper brakes.

 

[Hacienda71]

That is your blocks warming up. On really steep descents I always try to use both front and rear brakes but on an alternating basis so while you are on one set the others are cooling down a little.

 

[cadseen]

you sure its not the tyres

I never get that with shimano pads on alloy or carbon rims !!

 

[rusty bearing]

Cadseen may have a point, check postition of your blocks to make sure they arte not rubbing the tyre when you're braking, if they are or seem a bit close lower them just a bit.

 

[amaferanga]

You shouldn't get a burning smell from alloy rims.

 

[wheres_my_beard]

you sure its not the tyres

I never get that with shimano pads on alloy or carbon rims !!

Hmm. It could be the tyre I suppose. I recently changed the front tyre to a Fyxation Session 700. Maybe it has more traction (or less??) when braking hard (i only have front tyre fitted) than my previous tyre which was semi slick.

TBH i need to change the pads too.

 

[raindog]

cadseen means your brake blocks might be touching your tyres and causing the burning smell, not the tyres skidding on the road. Apply the brakes and have a good look to see if the blocks are correctly seated on the rims. If the blocks are touching the tyres, it could be pretty disastrous if not corrected.

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Oh. I'll take a look.

 

[Globalti]

If you say you need to change the pads, does this mean they are very worn? If so the angle of the remaining pad and the shoe will have changed relative to the rim and the top of the shoe could be contacting the tyre.