How often should you replace your bike brakes? Let's change them in 60 sec #mtb #biking #mtbtips, by Berm MTB on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Look into the top of the caliper and check the friction material. Replace the pads once it is thinner than about 1 mm, or when the spring clip starts rubbing the rotor.
Remove the wheel. Undo the quick release lever or unscrew the thru axle, then lift the wheel out of the frame or fork.
Pull out the pad retaining bolt or split pin at the top of the caliper. Slide the old pads and their spring out downwards.
Clean the caliper and the pistons with isopropyl alcohol on a rag. Push the pistons back into the caliper with a plastic tyre lever, never a screwdriver.
Slide the new pads in with the spring clip sitting between them. Refit the retaining bolt or pin and bend the split pin ends so it cannot fall out.
Refit the wheel. Squeeze the lever a few times to set the pads against the rotor, then check the rotor spins without rubbing.
If the pads drag, loosen the two caliper mounting bolts a quarter turn, hold the brake lever on, and retighten the bolts evenly.
Bed the pads in with about 10 firm stops from a moderate speed on a safe, flat surface before you ride properly.
Tips and common mistakes
Never touch the rotor or the pad surface with bare fingers, because grease causes squealing and weak braking.
Always fit pads as a pair, even if only one looks worn.
Check your rotor thickness with a caliper gauge and replace it if it is below the minimum stamped on the spider.
Test the brakes at walking pace in a safe spot before heading out on the road or trail.
Questions
How often should I replace bike brake pads?
Check them every few rides. Most riders get through a set in a few months of hard trail use, or a year of light commuting, depending on conditions.
Do I need new rotors when I change pads?
Not usually. Fit a new rotor only if it is worn below the minimum thickness, deeply scored, or bent and cannot be straightened.
Why do my new brakes squeal?
Usually because the rotor or pads picked up oil or grease, or the pads were not bedded in. Clean the rotor with isopropyl alcohol and repeat the bedding-in stops.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
