My sons have 24" carrera mountain bikes both front brakes sqeek really bad av tried resetting gap and tried several disc cleaning products but not helping any idea's as they won't use them!

Gregg, October 2010

easy to do on pads or disc pads just remove them and rough the pads or blocks,rub on course emery paper or a file,should do the trick.

cg, April 2011

Are these disc brakes? If they are old style rubber pads on rim, then you need to angle the pads such that the ends closest to the front of the bike touch first. It's a slight angle, barely noticeable, but that should keep them from vibrating, which is what causes the squeak. If they aren't adjustable, then use a crescent wrench or properly sized fitted wrench to physically bend the arm. Again, it's very slight.
If they are disc brakes, you might need to replace the shoes/pads.

Papa Wheelie, January 2011

Carrera is a make that is exclusive to Halfords, so if it is a manufacturing fault they will be the only ones to attain parts or possibly to refund the item. This is rare however, as all bikes are legally checked by the retailers for faults before sale (Known as a PDI) and they will have records to prove this (you may have recieved a pink slip when you purchased the bikes).

The best way to repair brakes is simply to apply Disc Break cleaner, but failing that the simplest answer is to replace them.
The number one cause of brake failure is misuse, which includes failing to maintain them.
Hydrolic disc systems require almost perpetual maintenance to function, such as bleedings and pressure adjustment, and regular discs require lubrication ideally after each use, but at a minimum one every three months.

However, if they are squeeking through an incorrect distance setting this can be fixed quickly enough by any cycle specialist that should cost you no more than about £5.

Chris Tyler, October 2010