Dirty rims

[Apeman]

Been out in wet on my road bike in the wet,which is more than often here, and on arriving home my rims are black with muck from the brake blocks. Is this a fault of the blocks being too soft or what? Any answers?

 

[tyred]

I think this is normal enough. Welcome to the world of modern alloy rims.

 

[jimboalee]

Modern blocks are 'sintered'. Tiny grains of rubber bonded together in a moulding. They are intended to be the 'sacrifice' part of the system.

My old Pug has natural rubber blocks in Mafac Racer stirrups. These do not give the black mess in the rain ( if I can remember the last time it was in the rain, 1998 I think. )

For wet and winter commuting, I have leather faced blocks against chromed rims. No mess at all. After a couple of stops, the leather is wet and the thing stops on a postage stamp.

 

[smeg]

I get that problem especially on the front tyre, I'm going to try using yellow brake pads.

 

[fossyant]

The 'black stuff' is a mix of alloy and pad - you'll get black stuff with any colour pads.

Wash off with car shampoo and water.....

 

[MajorMantra]

I just wipe it off with a rag usually. (Not an oily one!)

Matthew

 

[jimboalee]

Tape a washing-up pan brush onto a garden hose nozzle.

Adjust the water spray to a gentle stream, not a harsh blast.

Walk along with the bike while brushing rims, tyres and spoke nipples.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Use baby wipes to clean your rims and pads. Works a treat and no abrasives.

 

[HJ]

Time to change to disc brakes

 

[fossyant]

Just wash the bike....water and soapy stuff....

 

[Joe24]

WD40 i find gets the rims super clean and shiny!

 

[Jack9216]

Personally I wouldn't bother about it as I don't care what my rims look like, as long as theyre not buckled, and the black marks shouldn't affect the grip of the brakes on the rim as it will mostly be rubber, which, if anything, will make the brakes more grippy.

 

[gavintc]

Personally I wouldn't bother about it as I don't care what my rims look like, as long as theyre not buckled, and the black marks shouldn't affect the grip of the brakes on the rim as it will mostly be rubber, which, if anything, will make the brakes more grippy.

The black goo is a grinding paste and it is slowly eating away at you rims every time you brake. I was always informed that if you clean only 1 thing on a bike, clean the rims.

 

[Joe24]

The black goo is a grinding paste and it is slowly eating away at you rims every time you brake. I was always informed that if you clean only 1 thing on a bike, clean the rims.

+1
Your rims will wear down if you dont clear this horrible stuff off!
Doesnt take long, and it will save your rims.

 

[gaz]

i like the the squeaking sound on my rims, as well as the distinct lack of breaking power.

Damn it people clean those rims and replace those worn down pads!