How To Fit & Replace Disc Brake Pads On A Road Bike, by GCN Tech on YouTube. 14 min 20 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 20 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Check your pads are actually worn. Look through the calliper slot with a torch. If the friction material is under about 1mm thick, replace them.
Remove the wheel from the bike so you can reach the calliper and pads.
Find the pad retaining bolt or pin on the calliper. Straighten and pull out the split pin or unscrew the bolt, then slide the old pads out.
Clean the calliper and pistons with a rag and isopropyl alcohol. Push the pistons back into the calliper body with a clean tyre lever or piston press.
Slide the new pads into the calliper, making sure the spring clip sits between them and each pad faces the correct piston.
Refit the retaining bolt or pin and bend the split pin back so it cannot work loose.
Refit the wheel and spin it to check the rotor sits centred in the calliper slot.
Squeeze the brake lever a few times to reset the pistons against the rotor. Check the lever feels firm, not spongy.
Spin the wheel and listen for rubbing. If a pad drags, loosen the calliper bolts slightly, centre it, and retighten.
Tips and common mistakes
Never touch the brake rotor or new pad surface with bare fingers, as oil stops them biting.
Bed in new pads with a few gentle stops from walking pace before riding fast.
If the lever feels spongy after the swap, the system may need bleeding.
Keep old pads as a spare set only if they still have material left.
Questions
Do I need to bleed the brakes after changing pads?
Usually no. Pushing the pistons back can push fluid into the reservoir, so just check the lever feel. Bleed only if it stays spongy.
Can I use any disc brake pads?
No. Match the pad shape and compound to your exact brake model. Resin and sintered pads behave differently in wet and dry conditions.
Why do my new pads rub?
The pistons may not be sitting evenly. Push them back fully, centre the calliper, and check the rotor is not bent.
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.
