SRAM Code RSC brakes noisy

[Sparkomatic]

The brakes on my Giant Reign E+0 are really noisy, they use metal pads (gold backed) which I know can be noisy on initial bite but jeez these are so loud I can't bear it! I've swapped pads & cleaned rotors several times but they're always the same.

Is it just the pads causing this? I have read some reports that the Centreline rotors can cause excessive noise? If it is just the pads, what's the best compound to swap to? I use it more as a trail bike if this helps

 

[Mikerb]

The noise is caused by the pads not gripping the rotor. With sintered pads you often get some noise when you get everything wet but only for one or maybe 2 brake pulls. Overall it means your pads are either not properly broken in or your rotors are not being properly cleaned. So what are you using to clean the rotors??

 

[Weeksy]

Some brake cleaners come out noisier than others, Muc-off being one. We usually use either Oxford Mint or just nail varnish remover. In reality though i don't clean the rotors often apart from washing it. We use Galfer black in the DH bike, Galfer green in the others.

 

[Sparkomatic]

The noise is caused by the pads not gripping the rotor. With sintered pads you often get some noise when you get everything wet but only for one or maybe 2 brake pulls. Overall it means your pads are either not properly broken in or your rotors are not being properly cleaned. So what are you using to clean the rotors??

I use WD40, if that doesn't work I soak them in diesel first.
No, I use isopropyl alcohol which has never failed to work on other brakes. The pads have been bedded in every time. The noise always comes back the same leading me to believe it must simply be the pad compound or crap rotors.

I'll try pads first. Thanks @Weeksy I've been looking at Galfer pads but can't decide which to go for

 

[Weeksy]

I use WD40, if that doesn't work I soak them in diesel first.
No, I use isopropyl alcohol which has never failed to work on other brakes. The pads have been bedded in every time. The noise always comes back the same leading me to believe it must simply be the pad compound or crap rotors.

I'll try pads first. Thanks @Weeksy I've been looking at Galfer pads but can't decide which to go for

The green are superb on Code/RSC. I suspect they'd be too much on the Mavens.

 

[Mikerb]

I have Code RSC on both my bikes....no issues. I clean the rotors with IPA using shop towel every time I clean the bike. i use either SRAM pads or Race Ti both sintered. Race Ti are cheaper but no difference in performance between the SRAM or Race Ti. change to different pads if you like but if you have very noisy brakes they will not resolve the problem. Either you are not bedding pads in properly/cleaning the rotors properly, or there is a mechanical problem such as Rotors loose on their bolts or callipers not aligned.

 

[Sparkomatic]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I've cleaned the rotors extra thoroughly today, off the bike. Scotch pad & dish soap then a light sanding with fine wet & dry sandpaper. I've also swapped the pads from my other bike as I realised they use the same pads (SRAM Guide RE). I've been for a quick ride & they seem better. I'm wondering if the discs were contaminated with grease or such like that'd got within the grooves? I'll see how they do on the next proper ride...

Provided I'm happy with them, I may swap the rotors anyway. Any reason I can't use Magura MDR-C rotors?

 

[Streddaz]

The brakes on my Giant Reign E+0 are really noisy, they use metal pads (gold backed) which I know can be noisy on initial bite but jeez these are so loud I can't bear it! I've swapped pads & cleaned rotors several times but they're always the same.

Is it just the pads causing this? I have read some reports that the Centreline rotors can cause excessive noise? If it is just the pads, what's the best compound to swap to? I use it more as a trail bike if this helps

It might be the rotors but I would play around with some pads first. I have Code RS brakes on my Levo SL and unless it's wet they are pretty quiet. I run metallic pads and have a SRAM 6 bolt rotor on the front and a Galfer rotor on the rear.

 

[Winford]

its the pads, im having great luck with bucklos ceramic, and im glad they are thicker than the shimao pads i was using. On ebikes i found sram 220 with shimano calipers and levers is the sweet spot for high usage and wear. This year I will have dropped over 400,000' in elevation by the end of the year. dropped 126,000' in the last 2 months.

 

[bikerider]

I use SRAM HS2 rotors with the same pads you are using. I've never had any problems and I never clean them other than the usual bike wash down. These rotors are 2.0 mm thick compared to the Centerline which are 1.7 mm thick. I never get any noise other than right after going through a stream, but they quiet right down after a few brake applications. I swear by these. I've got 2000 miles on these with very minimal wear. I ride a Heckler which is 48 lbs. (22 kg) and I weigh 245 lbs. (111 kg) and that's before I strap on my gear and hydro pack, so these have to stop a BIG load. They will start to make noise if the pads are too worn. Here is a good blog which compares the Centerline to the HS2.

SRAM HS2 vs. Centerline Rotors | TBS Bike Parts

SRAM HS2 vs. Centerline Rotors - In the following article we are going to go over the differences between SRAM's HS2 and centerline rotors.

www.tbsbikeparts.com

 

[MNTurboLevo]

I ride a Spec Turbo Levo Expert. Upgraded to RSC from Code RS a year ago along with HS2 rotors front and back. Had a lot of issues with noise on the old setup including noise and warped rotors. No noise or warped rotors with the RSC HS2 setup. Also the additional adjustability of the RSC levers is a major upgrade. Ditch the Centerline rotors for HS2 and throw on some new SRAM sintered pads and I will bet your problem is solved.

 

[BigP]

The brakes on my Giant Reign E+0 are really noisy, they use metal pads (gold backed) which I know can be noisy on initial bite but jeez these are so loud I can't bear it! I've swapped pads & cleaned rotors several times but they're always the same.

Is it just the pads causing this? I have read some reports that the Centreline rotors can cause excessive noise? If it is just the pads, what's the best compound to swap to? I use it more as a trail bike if this helps

Centreline Rotor are junk. Change them to anything else and when required clean brakes with isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Sparkomatic]

Thanks all.
I've now done some proper miles with the thoroughly cleaned rotors & the 2nd hand/stolen pads, the noise is near enough gone & the power increase is dramatic.

Next predicament, rotor upgrade. Do I stick with 220mm front & 200mm rear, or go 200mm front and rear? The brakes are now so powerful I feel I'd have better modulation with 200's front and rear?

 

[bikerider]

Those SRAM HS2 rotors rock. No noise, no warpage and hardly wear it all.

Thanks all.
I've now done some proper miles with the thoroughly cleaned rotors & the 2nd hand/stolen pads, the noise is near enough gone & the power increase is dramatic.

Next predicament, rotor upgrade. Do I stick with 220mm front & 200mm rear, or go 200mm front and rear? The brakes are now so powerful I feel I'd have better modulation with 200's front and rear?

I have 200s front and rear and they work great. I'm 245 lbs and my bike is 48 lbs. so they really have to perform for my load. You're opting for the SRAM HS2 I'm assuming?

 

[Mikerb]

Thanks all.
I've now done some proper miles with the thoroughly cleaned rotors & the 2nd hand/stolen pads, the noise is near enough gone & the power increase is dramatic.

Next predicament, rotor upgrade. Do I stick with 220mm front & 200mm rear, or go 200mm front and rear? The brakes are now so powerful I feel I'd have better modulation with 200's front and rear?

no just a less powerful front brake. The reason for fitting a larger rotor on the front is that as soon as you brake, your weight plus the weight of the bike goes forward so the front brake needs to be more powerful than the rear brake. The rear brake is limited by the degree of tyre traction, so the front brake is a much more important element in slowing the bike down.

ps despite everyones personal preference for brake brands/ rotors etc the major difference between any 4 pot calliper system is how well the brakes are maintained. The major difference between rotors is that a bigger and/or thicker rotor will dissapate heat better which could be important if you do long steep descents ( ie Alpine type trails) and/or have a habit of dragging your brakes!!

 

[Sparkomatic]

I've ordered a pair or Magura MDR-C rotors in 203mm along with appropriate adaptors.
They're less than half the price of HS2 and the same spec, 2mm & laser cut. Extensive Google'ing has revealed a few forum posts from people running the same setup with great success.

220mm front rotor is overkill for most of my riding I feel.

 

[MNTurboLevo]

Better to "Overkill" on your front brake rotor than to have to squeeze the s--t out of your front brake lever or have your front brake overheat. I would leave the larger rotor in place and learn to modulate the front brake. The larger rotor does two things !. better leverage for stopping the front wheel with less effort on the brake lever and better heat dissipation.

 

[bikerider]

I've ordered a pair or Magura MDR-C rotors in 203mm along with appropriate adaptors.
They're less than half the price of HS2 and the same spec, 2mm & laser cut. Extensive Google'ing has revealed a few forum posts from people running the same setup with great success.

220mm front rotor is overkill for most of my riding I feel.

I have no problem with a 200 mm rotor on my front. Again, I'm 245 lbs without gear on and my bike is 48 lbs.