HOW DO YOU REPLACE YOUR BIKE'S BRAKE PADS?
Properly functioning brake pads are essential for every cyclist. Whether you commute daily or hit the trails on weekends, you need to be able to rely on your brakes. Over time, however, your brake pads wear down. This reduces your braking power and makes it harder to stop quickly and smoothly. This can lead to dangerous situations. Fortunately, you can easily replace your brake pads yourself. In this blog post, we explain the steps.
When should you replace your brake pads?
New rim brake pads have three distinct grooves. These grooves serve as a wear indicator. If they're almost or completely gone, it's time to replace your brake pads. Just like with disc brake pads, you can often tell your brake pads need replacing by other signs:
- You hear a grinding or squeaking sound when braking
- You have to squeeze harder to brake sufficiently
- Your braking distance becomes longer
- You can see that the brake pads have become very thin
If you ride a lot in wet or muddy conditions, for example, while mountain biking or on gravel trails, your brake pads will wear out faster. Sand and dirt act like sandpaper and accelerate the wear process.
What type of brake do you have?
How you replace your brake pads depends on the type of brake system on your bike. Most new bikes are equipped with disc brakes, but many older bikes still have rim brakes. You can recognize rim brakes by the pads on the top of your wheel's rim. If you have disc brakes, you'll see a metal disc near the wheel's axle.
Replacing brake pads on rim brakes
Do you have rim brakes? Then replacing them is often quick and easy.
Supplies:
- Allen key
- New brake pads (suitable for your brake type)
Here's how to do it:
- Place your bike in a stable position, for example, upside down on the ground or hang it in a bike stand. Remove the wheel from the frame by loosening the quick-release or thru-axle.
- Unscrew the bolt from the old brake pad.
- Remove the old block.
- Place the new brake pad in the same position and tighten it slightly. Place your wheel back in the frame.
- Adjust the block properly: it should completely touch the rim, but not the tire.
- Tighten everything firmly and test your brake.
- After installation, check that both brake pads contact the rim evenly.
Replacing brake pads on disc brakes
Disc brakes require a little more precision, but are easy to replace yourself if you work carefully.
Supplies:
- Allen key or torx key
- New brake pads that fit your bike.
- Possibly a flat plastic tool to push the pistons back
NB:
- Do not touch the braking surface of the new pads with greasy fingers.
- Never apply the brakes when your wheel is off. The pistons will press against each other, making it difficult to reattach them.
- Is your brake making a grinding noise after installation? Your brake caliper might not be perfectly straight.
Here's how to do it:
- Loosen your wheel so that you can easily access the brake caliper.
- Remove the old brake pads. There's usually a small pin or clip at the top of the caliper. Remove this. Then you can slide the old brake pads out.
- Where the brake pads were, you'll see two round metal "pushers." These are the pistons. They need to be pushed back slightly, otherwise the new (thicker) pads won't fit. Gently push them straight in.
- Slide the new blocks back in the same way as the old ones. Reattach the pin or clip.
- Put your wheel back on the bike.
- Squeeze the brake lever firmly a few times. You'll feel it harden again. The brake pads are now properly seated against the disc.
Breaking in new brake pads
After replacing your brake pads, it's important to properly bed in your brake pads. Do this by braking in a few controlled bursts at low speed. This allows the pads to conform to the rim or brake rotor, achieving optimal braking power.
Unsure? We're happy to help.
Are you nervous about working on your own brakes? Or are you unsure which brake pads are right for your bike? Visit one of our CUBE Stores. Our specialists will get you back on the road safely.