Basic Bike Maintenance: Brake Pad Replacement
Welcome back to our Basic Bike Maintenance Series! This week we are breaking down another important topic, how to replace your brake pads. Check out the video on our youtube channel HERE.
The first step in this process is determining whether or not your brake pads need to be replaced. It can be difficult to determine wear without having an idea of what a new brake pad looks like, so we recommend purchasing a new set of pads before starting this project. In fact, having an extra set on hand is always a good idea, just in case something goes wrong and you can't get to a shop right away. Just like choosing bike tires, you must choose the correct size and the right compound for your needs, so give us a call if you're not sure what to buy!
Once you have a new set on standby, look into the caliper and view the old pads from every angle. A new brake pad is typically 8-12mm thick, and they should be replaced when the thinnest part of the pad is 3mm. If the pads wear much thinner than 3mm, you risk wearing through the spring and damaging your calipers. If you have determined that your brake pads need to be replaced, remove the old pads and clean the calipers (inside and out) with isopropyl alcohol and a rag or brush. Be sure the brush is clean/new, to avoid contaminating the area with grease or other bike grime. You really can't overdo it with the isopropyl alcohol, so don't be afraid of oversaturating the area.
Once the pistons are squeaky clean, gently pry them back into the caliper with a tire lever, and pop the new brake pads in. We recommend wearing gloves while handling the new pads to avoid contamination. Secure the pads with the brake keeper/cotter pin, and reattach the wheel to your bike. Once the wheel is attached, you may need to pump the brake lever a few times to restore pressure to the system.
Perhaps the most important part of replacing your brake pads is bedding-in the new set. This process is just a series of slow-downs from approximately running pace to walking pace (without coming to a full stop) repeated 10-20 times. The goal here is to heat up the pads and transfer an even layer pad material onto the rotors, creating more bite and braking power over time. Do this in a safe parking lot or driveway before hitting the trail, and be prepared to have very little braking power the first few cycles. Once the brakes are feeling powerful again, you're ready to hit the trail!
We hope you are enjoying our Basic Bike Maintenance series! Stay tuned for our next topic, deraileur adjustment, and let us know what other topics we should cover in the comments.