How to prep your brakes for the cycling season

If I had to define the function of bike brakes, it would probably come down to these two terms – safety and control. And apart from the chain that drives my bike, the brakes are probably the parts subjected to the most stress. That’s why it’s worth taking a closer look.

I took a trip to see Elia Widmer to do exactly that. At Hilite Bikes in Basel, the trained toolmaker is involved in the construction of their customised bikes on the one hand and, on the other, takes care of the minor and major ailments of racing bikes and the like as a bicycle mechanic. We recently devoted an article to the wear and tear of the bicycle chain. You can get all the details on it here:

Brake pads and discs

Whether it’s a mountain bike, road bike, city bike or gravel bike, modern bikes are generally equipped with disc brakes. They’ve more or less put the brakes on the classic rim brake. Sorry for the pun. This guide isn’t comparing the two technologies –it’s about how to correctly bed in your new disc brakes and/or new pads to achieve optimum braking power.

Why is bedding in even necessary?

There are microscopic bumps on the surfaces of the brake disc and the brake pads. These must be evened out, otherwise the tips will rub against each other and generate an extremely high temperature. As a result, the pads can glaze over and the disc can lose shape.

How does bedding in work?

There are different instructions on how to bed new brake discs and/or pads correctly. Elia Widmer’s tip is as follows:

• accelerate the bike to around 30 to 35 kilometres per hour
• brake down to walking pace with one brake, usually starting with the rear brake
• accelerate back up to 30 to 35 kilometres per hour
• brake down to walking pace with the same brake
• repeat the process around 20 times
• repeat the entire process with the front brake
• repeat the process every time you fit new brake pads or new brake discs
• if you have organic brake pads, don’t forget outgassing.

This can take some time and can be a little tiring. If you’re on an e-bike, the motor will make this process feel much less tiring.

What about a squeaky brake?

A squeaky brake isn’t dangerous, but it is extremely annoying. Elia also has a tip for when you get your bike out of the cellar in spring and the brakes are noisy: «Keep calm, pull the brakes and keep pedalling against the resistance until the squeaking noise has disappeared. It takes a moment but it usually stops after a while.» If you want to cause some friction with your neighbours, you can try it out in your street on a quiet Sunday morning, says the expert grinning. Most people look for a road or path away from sensitive ears when they do this.

It’s common for brakes to start squeaking in the wet. According to Elia Widmer, however, this is normal and stops on its own after a while.

My next story from the bike workshop is coming soon. The topic: fitting new tubeless tires.