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Brake adjustment and pads

Cycling / Popular

Set up rim and disc brakes and replace pads.

What coaches agree on

  • Most rubbing or uneven braking comes down to centering: make sure the wheel is seated straight in the dropouts, then adjust the caliper or brake arms so the pads sit evenly on both sides of the rim or rotor.
  • Judge the final adjustment by how the lever feels, not just by eye -- you want the brake to bite firmly with plenty of room left before the lever reaches the bar or grip.
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  • Check your pads against their wear indicator -- grooves, a marked line, or a minimum thickness spec -- and replace them once they reach it.

Common mistakes

  • Touching the pads or rotor with bare hands, or letting any grease or oil reach them, contaminates the braking surface and makes the brake grab poorly or squeal.
  • Setting a rim brake pad too high so it rubs the tire instead of striking only the rim -- this wears out the tire fast and can cause a blowout.