Front brake only works in reverse

[George Smiley]

Not quite as the title sounds but when I use the bike, the front brakes squeel and hardly bind (dangerous) - SRAM hydraulics

The rear works brilliant, both brake pedals have the same reach and feel but the front grips but not enough to stop the bike

If I push the bike forward it grabs but allows me to keep pushing until I really squeeze the pedal, if I am on the bike it never fully binds but if I push the bike backwards, the brakes work perfectly.

I have taken the pads off, checked, cleaned them and the disc, same issue.

New pads are on order just in case but any ideas?

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

George Smiley said:

Not quite as the title sounds but when I use the bike, the front brakes squeel and hardly bind (dangerous) - SRAM hydraulics

The rear works brilliant, both brake pedals have the same reach and feel but the front grips but not enough to stop the bike

If I push the bike forward it grabs but allows me to keep pushing until I really squeeze the pedal, if I am on the bike it never fully binds but if I push the bike backwards, the brakes work perfectly.

I have taken the pads off, checked, cleaned them and the disc, same issue.

New pads are on order just in case but any ideas?

Take to bike shop for a bleed... Or buy a bleed kit and follow YouTube vids.

[George Smiley]

I'll get a bleed kit as I dont trust halfords!

[frisbee]

Contaminated pads from a leaky caliper?

My stty Shimano calipers leaked and I had to replace them. The pad braking surface was shiny rather than matt.

[George Smiley]

Can’t see evidence of a leak

It’s odd that if I push the bike backwards it has the same full stopping force that the rear brake has going in either direction

Never had hydraulics on a push bike before

[thewarlock]

are they 2 pots or 4 pots?

Have the checked to see none of the pistons are siezed, if they're 4 pots and have a sized piston, the pad won't be exerting force evenly on the disc.

[George Smiley]

I need to check

SRAM apex if it helps

[Justin S]

If the lever when pulled is hard, then you wont need to bleed them.
What did you clean the pads and discs with ?
Have you contaminated the pads by accident etc ?
With new brakes, they can take time to bed in. If you are sure you havent contaminated them, then remove the pads and lightly sand the pads to key them up. Clean the discs with meths or carb cleaner. Dont use car disc cleaners etc as they have oils in them. Refit the pads and check the disc is central between the pads. Go and ride down the road and pull the brakes to get some heat into them. Do this a few times and see if the disc starts to key to the pads.
Report back on how you get on

[George Smiley]

Quick update

popped the bike back into halfords (as thats where it was bought) they suggested new pads (which they would provide) but I'd need to wait until mid august for them. Phoned local specialist up, had a set in so bought them, fitted, nearly came off the bloody bike first time I tested them = they work.

I used muckoff brake cleaner, the disc is perfect so I suspect either bad pads or contamination.