in my case i would assume its something wrong with the brakes compatibility with the frame or wheelset, or you were super rough on the brakes when you first got the bike
I bought the same bike about 2 months ago and had the same problems. to solve the loss of power I reset the brake calipers and changed the mineral oil for DOT 5.5 brake fluid and that made a big change.
to solve the sqeak I recomend sanding the pads down a bit and then applying an anti-squeal compound (there's a brand just for bikes but you can use a car one aswel). ive done this and now the brakes work really well. the back one sqeaks from time to time but its not so bad.
Bought this bike 4 weeks ago, had this exact noise from the start. Kept coming back to local bike shop and they were trying all the simple fixes - sanding and cleaning the brake pads, then replacing brake pads entirely ... Nothing helped. Finally I got them to contact Specialized, and they confirmed the problem. Just today had them replaced with new Shimano Deore brake system. Boom! Problem gone. They are as quite as a whisper now, and braking performance has improved too!
I contacted Specialized and they have informed me that this is an issue with the breaks and the fact the frame is very light and thin. Mine is only 10 weeks old so they have offered to replace the bike as the 2012 model has been improved. Worth speaking to your shop about this guys.
I had the same problem and tried multiple pad, rotor and paste combos. finally upgraded to avid Elixir 5 with 160 rear rotor 185 front problem solved!!!
I bought exactly the same bike about 6 weeks ago and have exactly the same problem. Can you let me know if you manage to find a way to solve this please. Ta.
@Raemon23 So what I did was switch my rotors to solid sweep rotors (Avid G3SS) and the brake pads are organic. It reduces the sound, but every once in a while I still hear the sound.
Bought Alligator "windcutter" rotors and relieved 90% of the issue. I'm thinking of replacing the pads with organic when the originals wear out to see if that cures it 100%. Usually don't squak - major improvement over the original rotors for a pretty cheap price. If they start the squaking now, I usually just have to feather the brake more while riding and then spray them with Bike brake cleaner ( after the ride). Off road dust is usually my problem.
@jamador06 I have the same bike, I saw what must have been your review up on Eddy's bike shop website. The brake squeel is entirely due to the G2 rotors. It's simple resonnence (like a wine glass making noise). This mostly affects rider confidence and doesn't at all effect performance but regardless it is very disapointing that specialized failed to see it as a problem before sales. Don't get the same rotors, it isn't a fluke or a defect, it's normal for G2's to do that.
Also, I can't comment on the seat because I immediately replaced mine with my brooks saddle. I also swapped the fork with a "diamond-in-the-rough" M-29, and the stock tires to mountain kings to better handle the local terrain. I actually love this bike and it's hard for me to find the brake problem as anything beyond annoying. Don't lose confidence in the bike, I've had mine for a year now, it's among the best hardtails I've ridden. After a real rotor swap yours should be great. I use G3's now.
@MrWhatever45 The G2 rotors do it, it's a well known occurence with that product. After break-in they also make noises like a "Turkey Gobble" when they heat up and expand. It doesn't effect performance outside of rider confidence if the rider "isn't sure" why it's doing that. The brakes are not "broken" (hence they can't be fixed), best bet for anyone who has this problem with any bike is to first look at the rotors. It likely has little or nothing to do with other brake components.
avids elixer and juicy work great for me
i have had bad experiences with tektro models
in my case i would assume its something wrong with the brakes compatibility with the frame or wheelset, or you were super rough on the brakes when you first got the bike
TheBlitz1 2 months ago
I bought the same bike about 2 months ago and had the same problems. to solve the loss of power I reset the brake calipers and changed the mineral oil for DOT 5.5 brake fluid and that made a big change.
to solve the sqeak I recomend sanding the pads down a bit and then applying an anti-squeal compound (there's a brand just for bikes but you can use a car one aswel). ive done this and now the brakes work really well. the back one sqeaks from time to time but its not so bad.
kevin010382 2 months ago
@kevin010382 ...........did you have to flush the brake system out a few times w/ the dot 5.5??
TreeK7 1 week ago
wow seems like alot of problems with this model, year makes me think if i wanna buy one
zoomzoomgt 4 months ago
Bought this bike 4 weeks ago, had this exact noise from the start. Kept coming back to local bike shop and they were trying all the simple fixes - sanding and cleaning the brake pads, then replacing brake pads entirely ... Nothing helped. Finally I got them to contact Specialized, and they confirmed the problem. Just today had them replaced with new Shimano Deore brake system. Boom! Problem gone. They are as quite as a whisper now, and braking performance has improved too!
kiwilionheart 5 months ago
I contacted Specialized and they have informed me that this is an issue with the breaks and the fact the frame is very light and thin. Mine is only 10 weeks old so they have offered to replace the bike as the 2012 model has been improved. Worth speaking to your shop about this guys.
Good luck
Flipflopsuperpants 6 months ago
breaking in the brakes probably would have prevented your issues.
TheOhfishes 6 months ago
I had the same problem and tried multiple pad, rotor and paste combos. finally upgraded to avid Elixir 5 with 160 rear rotor 185 front problem solved!!!
twc123100 6 months ago
Swapped the pads/rotors and the brakes still sound like shit
bullibullets 8 months ago
Swapped the pads/rotors and the brakes still sounds like shit
bullibullets 8 months ago
I bought exactly the same bike about 6 weeks ago and have exactly the same problem. Can you let me know if you manage to find a way to solve this please. Ta.
Raemon23 10 months ago
@Raemon23 So what I did was switch my rotors to solid sweep rotors (Avid G3SS) and the brake pads are organic. It reduces the sound, but every once in a while I still hear the sound.
jamador06 10 months ago
@Raemon23
Had the same issue:
Bought Alligator "windcutter" rotors and relieved 90% of the issue. I'm thinking of replacing the pads with organic when the originals wear out to see if that cures it 100%. Usually don't squak - major improvement over the original rotors for a pretty cheap price. If they start the squaking now, I usually just have to feather the brake more while riding and then spray them with Bike brake cleaner ( after the ride). Off road dust is usually my problem.
disciple4truth 7 months ago
Whats causing that do you know?
MrWhatever45 1 year ago
My local bike shop has tried the following:
1. Sand down my original brake pads
2. Switch from the original pads to organic pads
Now I'm waiting for Avid to ship out new rotors and pads, so that they can be swapped out.
jamador06 1 year ago
@jamador06 I have the same bike, I saw what must have been your review up on Eddy's bike shop website. The brake squeel is entirely due to the G2 rotors. It's simple resonnence (like a wine glass making noise). This mostly affects rider confidence and doesn't at all effect performance but regardless it is very disapointing that specialized failed to see it as a problem before sales. Don't get the same rotors, it isn't a fluke or a defect, it's normal for G2's to do that.
dantheman9758 10 months ago
Also, I can't comment on the seat because I immediately replaced mine with my brooks saddle. I also swapped the fork with a "diamond-in-the-rough" M-29, and the stock tires to mountain kings to better handle the local terrain. I actually love this bike and it's hard for me to find the brake problem as anything beyond annoying. Don't lose confidence in the bike, I've had mine for a year now, it's among the best hardtails I've ridden. After a real rotor swap yours should be great. I use G3's now.
dantheman9758 10 months ago
@MrWhatever45 The G2 rotors do it, it's a well known occurence with that product. After break-in they also make noises like a "Turkey Gobble" when they heat up and expand. It doesn't effect performance outside of rider confidence if the rider "isn't sure" why it's doing that. The brakes are not "broken" (hence they can't be fixed), best bet for anyone who has this problem with any bike is to first look at the rotors. It likely has little or nothing to do with other brake components.
dantheman9758 10 months ago