Scuffing up your brke rotors on purpose (+ word champ turns bike upside down!)

As in this video @ 1:10. Why? Guy knows what he’s doing around bikes, but I’ve not seen this before.

Additionally, notice which way up the bikes are to fit the wheels?

The rotors are scuffed to give better performance.

Use a fine file. Perhaps diamond. Better still just get some sandpaper. Any of the lower grits will suffice.

He turns his bike upside down coz he probably bleeds his brakes more than most people and he’s probably certain of no air in there.

If there’s one thing Danny ain’t, it’s a Word champ!

Maybe he’s just cleaning the rotors..

I use the abrasive coated foam blocks (sanding pads) to clean my rotors.
At Swinley they collect forest debris and pine residue which is sticky.
I use brake disc cleaner on a clean rag (not paper), then air dry and rough up with the abrasive after every 2-3 rides.
Bike in a workstand even though I know there is no air in my brakes.

PaulD

If there’s one thing Danny ain’t, it’s a Word champ!

Autism.

Quality of banter between those two is a bit poor – quite awkward at times.

im sure someone will be along to correct me, but aren’t disc brakes supposed to work with heat dissipation?
roughing up the discs will wear pads quicker but not neccessarily enhance braking.

surely cleaning the crap off discs without scratching them is better?
i use the rubber-type blocks as already mentioned to clean/polish my discs. these are more for buffing than ‘roughing’

I know a few people who rough up their discs, used to see a lot more who did it to their rims for trials.

Rough is better than polished in my eyes, I just can’t be arsed to do it.

I also turn bike upside down all the time.

He clearly doesn’t subscribe to the TJ school of brake pad bedding in.

Autism.

Is he? I’ve seen that posted a few times in threads but never actualy mentioned in an article.

He just comes accross as quiet and ‘normal’, if he is autistic he’s definately at the ‘normal’ end of the spectrum. Just because he rides bikes doesn’t mean he comes from the Rob Warner school of public perception management.

…aren’t disc brakes supposed to work with heat dissipation?

That’s how all brakes work!

Is he? I’ve seen that posted a few times in threads but never actualy mentioned in an article.

He just comes accross as quiet and ‘normal’, if he is autistic he’s definately at the ‘normal’ end of the spectrum. Just because he rides bikes doesn’t mean he comes from the Rob Warner school of public perception management.

Apparently so. As you probably know there are many varying levels of Autism that manifests itself in all manner of ways.

Regardless I like the fact he isn’t media savvy and just quietly goes along becoming a World Champion… Like you do.

Autism.
Is he? I’ve seen that posted a few times in threads but never actualy mentioned in an article.

I thought he meant me

Yes dezb you too, but that is mainly due to the music you listen 😉

grum – Member

Quality of banter between those two is a bit poor – quite awkward at times.

To be fair you quite often don’t get banter between Guy Martin and someone else- you just get Guy talking. I loved Danny’s wee comment “I’m ready. He’s still talking”.

I can’t make out what is said. I’ve tried a few times.. maybe its this netbook.

Can your netbook translate ‘northern’ ?

Its based in the highlands and only translates Teuchter! I can usually make out what Guy says.

Its based in the highlands and only translates Teuchter! I can usually make out what Guy says.

Re the bikes being upside down for wheel fitting; just don’t do what my mate did on the first morning of a long weekend in Wales, namely spin the wheel to check it and then absent-mindedly put his finger tip through the rotor spokes…

Cut down to the bone via the fingernail, he went a very funny colour.

I’m guessing a roughened disc would be more abrasive, which would help wear the pads to avoid glazing. I avoid this problem by using Superstar pads which regularly explode into a million pieces/catch fire/do nothing to promote world peace.

I always have the bike upside down to take the wheels on and off….had no idea it was such a faux pas.

I always have the bike upside down to take the wheels on and off….had no idea it was such a faux pas.

Yea, people get really upset about it

People really think that people get really upset about it?

Yea, people get really upset about it

Generally those with rubbish brakes that can’t be bled properly, bars equipped with more gadgets than an F1 car or poncy grips (worse all 3)

Not sure this gives any advantage. Best performance I ever had from disc brakes was riding in Greece where the fine dust on all the trails polished the rotors to a mirror finish. It actually made modulation pretty difficult.

poncy grips

Just what is considered “poncy” a grip is a grip isn’t it?

turning bike upside down don’t make a blind bit off difference. Like previous correspondents depends on handle bar gadgets and your transport.
the best video is Guy Martin visiting Orange factory

White or Perfectly Colour Matched

Danny Hart should thank the lord he’s got downhill talent cos without that he would surely die a virgin

Scuffing up brake discs will make no improvement unless they are contaminated or the pads glazed.

Disc brakes work by a mix of abrasive and adherent friction – you need a layer of pad material built up on the rotors and the creation of a molten semi fluid boundary layer.

http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/bed-in-theory-definitions-and-procedures/brake-pad-bed-in

he would surely die a virgin

Iam still not sure there are mountain biking groupies queuing outside his camper. Not really formula one status just yet.

To be fair, turning the bike upside down was topical when I posted this link, quite surprised the first reply came after 2 months!

I tried scuffing. Works better for the first few pulls. Then its not so good. I can hear the analogies already.

TJ IS WRONG.

Scuffing brake discs removes pad material build up and can quieten down squeeling, theres a write up on Pinkbike from some Avid guy doing it in a correct manner.

TJ IS WRONG AND HE CANT COME BACK TO ARGUE !

TJ IS WRONG.

Plus the ladeez find a guy with scuffed rotors and an upside down bike IRRESISTABLE……

Fact.

DrP

A possible reason for the upside down bike is that it can help lubricate the fork seals, let some oil get to the top of the fork and soak into the wipers.

Or maybe… Just maybe, he’s always turned his bike upside down and like nearly everyone who has, it hasn’t caused problems or bothered them. 😉

As if this stuff even matters 😯

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