Check the pads for wear by inspecting the thickness of the braking material
attached to the backing plate within the brake calliper (a) or view through the
window on the upper side of the calliper (b). If there is approximately 1mm of
material left on each brake pad, remove the pads according to the manufac-
turer’s instructions, check them thoroughly and replace them, if necessary.
Dirty brake pads and rotors can lead to drastically reduced
braking power. Therefore, make sure the brake remains free of
oil and other fluids, especially when you clean your bicycle or
grease the chain. Dirty brake pads can under no circumstances
be cleaned, they must be replaced! Rotors can be cleaned with
warm water and mild soap. There are also special brake clean-
ers available.
Loose connections and leaky brake lines drastically impair brak-
ing power. If you find leaks in the brake system or buckled lines,
contact your bicycle dealer immediately.
The manufacturers of hydraulic disc brakes usually deliver their
products with detailed instructions. Be sure to read them care-
fully before removing a wheel or doing any maintenance work.
5.3.2 Checking and Readjusting Mechanical
Disc Brakes
Regularly check whether you get a positive braking response before the
lever touches the handlebars.
Make sure the brake cables are in sound condition!
To a certain extent, wear of the brake pads can be compensated directly at
the hand lever. Unscrew the union nut on the bolt through which the cable
enters the lever and then unscrew the bolt until the lever has the desired
travel (c). Retighten the lock nut by taking care that the slot of the bolt does
not face upward or forward, as this would permit an unnecessarily high
amount of water or dirt to enter (d).
Now check the functioning of the brake and see to it that the brake pads
do not drag on the rotor ((a) p. 41) when you release the brake lever and let
the wheel spin.
Repeated readjustment at the brake lever makes the arm on the brake cal-
liper change its position. This can reduce braking power and result in a
complete brake failure in an extreme case!
Some systems must be readjusted directly at the brake calliper
to compensate wear. For more information please read the en-
closed manual of the brake manufacturer.
a
b
c
d
the brakes. If you are in doubt or if you have any questions, please contact
can snap.
the maximum braking performance.
work.
the manufacturer.