noisy brakes

[jags]

is there a quick fix for squeeling brakes.i have paul canti and koolstop blocks the noise is something else .would cleaning the rims with fine grade steel wool help .
thanks in advance.

[stutho]

There are lots of fixes for brake squeal - the problem is non are guaranteed to work!

Check the pads are toed in
Check the headset is correctly adjusted
Check the brake arms are tighten to the correct torque
lightly sand the surface of the blocks
In addition to the toe in try a slight camber in  (top of pad toward the rim)
scrub and de-grease the rim
There are other fixes too...
fitting a brake booster can work wonders!
try different pads
try different brake arms!
try different rims!!!
I have never tried it but another solution is to slot the back of the pads (with a Dremel or similar) and run without toe in
I have also heard that if the rim  is not centred on the  hub (running true but not in the centre of the forks) that it can case brake squeal - not sure I believe this one.

Brake squeal can be a nightmare - If you find a magic bullet let us all know!

[jags]

thanks strutho a lot to go on there i've cleaned the blocks and lightly sanded them also cleaned the rims,i'll try the headset  see if that helps.thank's again
jags.

[julk]

jags,
I have found toeing in the front of the blocks makes the biggest single difference.
But then again, one of my son's bikes resists all efforts and the front wheel brake squeals like a pig.

[jags]

thank's julk i'll give that a go as well.when im cycling in a groop i find it entertaining the noise  cracks everybody up but on my own especally in built up area's it's quiet embarrising