My squeaky bike brakes?
491843
WD-40 - Don't use it on your brake pads, unless you don't really want working brakes. Get proper bike lube, and ensure that all of the pivot points on your brake calipers or cantilevers are well lubricated. Also ensure that your brake cables (inside the cable housing) are properly lubed.\n\nWith regards to the squeaking, there are a couple of things you can try.\n\n1. File or sand down your pads to remove any glazing. Glazed brake pads are often quite hard, and will often cause the unwanted squealing. If this fails, you can buy new brake pads. The brake manufacturer's pads are ideal, but there are many aftermarket manufacturers that produce great brake pads (Aztec, Kool Stop, Ritchey, to name a few).\n\n2. Toe in your brake pads. Many brakes have play in the cantilever or caliper arms such that when you apply the brakes, the play in the arms and the rotation of the wheel will bring pull the pads flat and into full contact with the rim. 99% of the time, this will eliminate the squeal.
712986
Are you sure there resistance is off when you try to pedal?  if you are, call the manufacturer before you do anything.  You dont want to oil it and void your warranty and then it's ruined.
920087
to solve your problem with minimal work, just bring your bike into a LBS and they should have the tool to take it out, shouldnt cost you a dollar or two, they might just do it for you for free! \n\nCheers
1020136
That bike is not bad, and it is good that you are deciding against disc brakes...\n\nAnyway, I prefer Specialized.
482230
in addition to long duck dongs responce if the brakes are still squealing after toeing in the pads, you may want to use a fine grit sandpaper and lightly rough up both the rim and brake pad. There could be residue left over from manufacturing on the brake pad which is creating the chatter.
622616
Never Ride in the rain, If caught in rain regrease bearings as soon as possible.\nNever leave it outside overnight.\nNever leave it Unlocked.\nClean it with Simple green cleaner, Safe for all parts and paint and makes your brakes stop on a dime with no residue.\nNever let anyone else ride it, Its yours.\nNever armor all or polish yoru tires.\nNever ride it without making sure all nuts and bolts are tight.\nAlways use MOTHERS Polish for your chrome.\nAlways check quick release items Making sure they are tight.\nNever leave it in direct sunlight\nNever feed it after Midnight.\nNever paint over chrome.
655593
you sure you have brake pads or brake shoes? i have never seen or heard of pads on the rear,you usually have shoes back there because they have better stopping control.i don't see how riding in that can cause the brakes to wear fast,unless you are breaking a lot.are you talking about a motorcycle or automobile. if a motorcycle  yea that's pads,but that wont make them wear out. it all depends on how much abuse your given to it.
858682
Wow. Must say that's one of the more interesting Q's I've seen lately.\n\nSome things you could try:\n- raise your handlebars (check w/ a bike shop) so you sit more upright\n- try different saddles, some have those holes in the middle\n- remove the "hardware" before you ride, put it back in while cleaning up after your ride.\n- try going au naturel... remove the hardware entirely.\n\nGood luck... keep us "posted"
169123
If the bicycle is older, or has been used extensively, the chainring(s) (i.e. the large circular piece to which the pedals are connected) may be worn and in need of replacing (which can be expensive -- can you see the teeth of the chainring poking out of the top of the chain?).  Or the chain may need replaced.  Or your front and/or rear derailleur(s) may need adjusted.\n\nTake you bike in for some service.
1000951
Wd-40 stops squeaks.  Then again, you might slide a lot more.
658825
Try a bike tube repair kit. It might work.
131176
Check for slack in your rack and pinion steering. You could have wornout inner tie rods that need to be changed or the inner ball bearings and vavels are wore out. If the vavels are bad you will have to change the complete rack. Cost could be in the hundreds of dollars. If you can't do it your self.
330204
Go to walmart, or dunhams. They have bikes from $60.00 to $350.00. It depends what you are looking for. I think mine was around $150.00. I take it out everyday, and i go off the beaten path alot. It holds up pretty good. I know in a few years i might want to up grade, but for the price, it works for now. especially if you are tight on cash.If you go to walmart, just be careful your tire isn't bent, and check everything before you go out. My brakes were really tight, and i had to do a few adjustments all around. That is the only bitch, but i figure i would have had to do that with any bike. Plus i know my equipment now. good luck!
766419
The ones I'm familiar with are made out of hard vulcanized rubber. I'm confused - do you want to find brake pads or the stuff they're made of (not formed into brake pads)?\n\nThe site below has brake pads for most every kind of bike:
504515
I tend to have the same problem. I've reduced it to some extent by shifting the levers very slightly forward and down so now I rest more of my palm on the top of the levers rather than the crook of thumb and forefinger. The disadvantage with this is that the brakes are less well positioned for my fingers, but its marginal.\n\nTry too, changing the inward angle of the brakes to match the natural angle of your hands at the bars. Mine are toed in about 5 degrees.\n\nI also invested in better gloves with gel padding right where it gets sore - these work brilliantly - I know this for sure because just yesterday I forgot them, did 50 miles anyway, and I have a blister to show for it at the base of my thumb!
867741
I don't know where you can go, but I have a suggestion. Take the pedals off the bike and practice scooting around on it. You'll eventually be able to coast farther and farther. When you get comfortable balancing for longer periods, put the pedals back on.
1146846
bearings/hubs going bad...   or a freewheel problem.  Get thee to your local bike shop and have it inspected!\n\nYou might also have a few loose spokes which should also be checked out (wheel needs to be trued).