![]() ![]() In some cases, when the pad is worn out, the metal pad holder contacts the rim and it will only skid along the slick surface of the rim providing little grip and no braking power. Don’t put off this important maintenance because when the pads wear down all the way, you’ll have no braking power, which is dangerous. This is a sign that it’s time for new pads to restore your braking. When the pads are really worn, you’ll squeeze the levers hard and the pads won’t grip the way they once did. As the pads wear, you have to pull the levers further before the brakes start to grab. The important thing is that you understand how to check your pads so that you don’t end up without brakes when you need them.īrake pads wear down a little every time you apply the brakes and you feel the change at the levers. How often you need to replace brake pads depends on where and how you ride. This will improve braking and save your rims. Pick any debris out with a pointed instrument ( photo), such as an awl. Or, you might find small pieces of sand or stone left over from your last muddy mountain-bike ride. Sometimes you’ll find embedded shards of aluminum from the rims. Then wipe the surfaces of the brake pads to clean them.Īlso, look closely at the faces of the pads (this is easiest if you remove the wheel). To clean them, dampen a corner of a rag with rubbing alcohol and scrub the rims to remove any rubber deposits or grimy build up. This is another reason it's important to keep the pads and rims clean (rim replacement is expensive). The pads even pick up bits of sand and gravel that then grind the sides of the rims as you brake wearing them prematurely. As you use your brakes, however, the pads strike the rims picking up anything on them and sometimes transferring rubber deposits to the rims. If you have any questions about brake adjustment please give us a call or bring your bike in and we’ll be happy to help.įor optimum braking, the rims and brake pads must be clean. And, keep in mind that in order for brakes to work properly and to make the adjustments explained in this article, the wheels must be true and round (no side-to-side wobbles, up-and-down hops or bends). Also, because brakes are so important for safety, we do not recommend working on them unless you’re confident in your ability to do the job right. If you need to adjust your disc brakes, please bring them in for servicing. Please note that these instructions are for conventional brakes, not disc brakes. Here are our guidelines for keeping your brake pads in tip-top shape. And also, that the pads will wear out after a while and need to be replaced. This rubbing action means that the pads require occasional maintenance to function optimally. Brake pads (sometimes called “brake shoes”) are what rub against your rims to provide stopping power when you squeeze the brakes.
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