Elixir CRs-Rotors rubbing

Yes, the caliper alignment with the CPS bolts can drive you nuts. Here’s what I do. Loosen the CPS bolts, then squeeze the lever tight to line up the caliper. Then only snug the CPS bolts (not real tight). Check and see if the rotor is running free (no rub). If not repeat until there is no rub. Do not squeeze the lever when you tighten the CPS bolts to their full torque value. That seems to be the trick to get things to work. You will need to get used to doing this because every prolonged downhill seems the warp the rotor. You can also get the Park rotor adjustment tool to get the warp out. Good luck.

My Juicy 3's had the same rubbing problem. I fixed it by first loosening both bolts, manually moving the caliper so there is space between both pads and the rotor, THEN squeezing the lever a few times. Hold down the lever and lightly screw both bolts, and see if there's still rubbing.

Seems like the force from the lever isn't enough to move the caliper if you only need to move a fraction of a mm.

Mike E said:

I've got Elixir CRs on my Ibis Mojo and the rotors are rubbing on the brakepads. The bike is brand new and was delivered this way. Yeah..I know..but I saved a ton at the expense of not having it tuned up before shipping. Anyhow, adjusting the pad engagement point doesn't help, even dialed all the way in the rotor still rubs. I tried to "align and true calipers" per the user manual and it didn't help much. Not sure what else to do, any suggestions?

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The Pad Contact-Point Adjustment allows you to adjust the point in the lever's throw where the pads contact the rotor. It does not change the pad spacing.

Remove the wheel. Carefully pry the pads/pistons all the way back into the caliper body (I like to remove the pads first so that I can't damage them).

Install the wheel and pull the lever a few times to reset the pads. This will insure that you have the correct gap.

Now go ahead and follow Avid's procedure to align the caliper.

I find that the CPS washers sometimes need to be lightly greased so they caliper actually moves when you squeeze the lever. If you don't, the rotor will just bend.

I expected the method described by gmcttr to work = pushing the pistons back then re-mounting the wheel, then pulling the lever a few times.
Unfortunately on my new Spesh 2010 Epic Marathon Carbon one pad hardly retracts at all and the other retracts only a few thou. That is asking for trouble and I haven't found any remedy yet. On both front and rear one piston appears to be 'stronger' than the other. That one declines to retract, binds slightly on the rotor, then when in use, that side pushes the rotor over in to the weaker side's pad. Grrr.
The feel, power and lever adjustments seem vert good. But if I can't stop the pads binding I'm not a happy bunny.
I am thinking of trying to tweak the pad springs stronger in order to help the pads retract better.
patience running out. Its going back to the shop if it goes on like this.

Just picked up my new heckler from my LBS (w/ Elixir CR) and i notice the front rotor is rubbing as well, pads look aligned with equal distance but it seems as if the new rotor is slightly bent as it deviates from dead center to the right pad (touched) and goes back to center. I don't think I need to re-align but do I have a case to get a new rotor from my LBS? It hasn't even been ridden yet.

I just installed my Hope Tech X2 brakes not even 1 hor ago. Same deal as throwfar. You can spin the tire and hear nothing rubbing. But once you pull the lever I have a slight rub. Kinda like a warped rotor as well. I can centralize the pads to Hopes manual and it goes away, but when the lever is pulled again the slight rub is back. I think I just need to go out and ride the bike and seat the brake pads. Of course thats when the weather is cleared up some.

GF 29er said:

I just installed my Hope Tech X2 brakes not even 1 hor ago. Same deal as throwfar. You can spin the tire and hear nothing rubbing. But once you pull the lever I have a slight rub. Kinda like a warped rotor as well. I can centralize the pads to Hopes manual and it goes away, but when the lever is pulled again the slight rub is back. I think I just need to go out and ride the bike and seat the brake pads. Of course thats when the weather is cleared up some.

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Ride your bike. You will find after a half dozen rides or so, the seals will break in and you gain pad clearance. This was the case with both sets of my Hopes.