Squeaking brakes

I rode my bike about 35 miles last night and noticed that on relatively light brake application, the rear brake tends to squeak or squeal.

Would new brake pads fix this?

I cannot be sure because i would have to inspect the brakes to tell, however you can almost be certain that if you take it to a shop no matter if they really need changing or not they will push you to get it done.

From my experience, the squeaking can come from light presure. As long as the mark on the back hub mentiones that you are still in the usabe range you should be good to go.

Do the brakes still provide solid stopping power.

I wouldn't be so concerned about the light braking as much as the emergency braking response.

KR

Could be the same problem I was having.
I had to purchase the cheaper brakepads from Jeff(at Z1 Enterprises),as the ones I was using were heavy metallic,and they did the exact same thing as you describe.The new ones(non sintered) work perfectly...no squeeling or that aweful grinding noise on light braking.

Here's a link...


BRAKE-PADS

Noisey/squealing brakes can be fixed by buying a can of Permatex disc brake quiet at auto parts stores.

the disc brake pad or puck is removed, cleaned, and the spray is applid to the BACK of the of the pad or puck, allowed to dry, re-assembled and go for a test drive.

The thinking on this is the pad/puck acts like bow on a violin string making the disc vibrate like the strings do.