Would you know how to change out your brake pads if you were asked to do it? Don't stress yourself if the answer is no because you are not alone. A lot of bicycle riders have no idea how they would do that if asked. In this article, you will discover a very easy technique for removing your old brake pads so that you can install new ones.
Today Has To Be Your Lucky Day
You've discovered some free time to get out and take a ride and your ride of preference involves a large climb but also a very swift descent (that you simply love). You always thought speed is your companion up until the thought occurs to you regarding being unable to stop when you are to the bottom of this slope. Bike brakes always do the job don't they?
In most cases you do get lucky with your brakes but in order to be sure that they operate each and every time, you need to maintain them. This article will delve into tips on how to change out those brake pads so that you will always have optimum stopping power.
There Are Numerous Varieties of Brakes
Generally, you will recognize that there are two main kinds of brakes found on the typical bike. The 2 different types of brakes that you will generally find are hub and rim varieties. This post will deal with the rim brakes which tend to be more prevalent as opposed to disc type.
Rim brakes are so named mainly because all of the braking action occurs because of the rubber brake pads grasping onto the rim of your wheel. It's a pretty simple system really; the rubber brake pads grab the wheel and slow it down. When you see rim style brakes installed on a bicycle, you may either see a side pull version or a cantilever style model.
These kinds vary in where the brake cable pulls from in order to close the brake pads on the wheel. The place that the cable pulls from has an effect on the way the brakes function; the side pull types get actuated from the side of the brakes as opposed to the cantilever types get actuated from the centre. Despite each of their differences though, the side pull and the cantilever model brakes each use rubber brake pads. These brake systems both work off the same premise; that is they require a handle to be pulled which then transfers down to the brake pads enabling them to squeeze your rim. One thing many of us cyclists don't really pay attention to is the fact that any time you pull the brake handle, you lose a tiny bit of rubber from your pads.
If you use the brakes enough (and you should), your brake pads are going to naturally wear down enough where their stopping power is no longer acceptable. If you do a short inspection of your bike and its parts every time you ride, then you'll have a very good idea what level the rubber on your pads is at. It is more desirable to replace them early than to be too late.
How Can You Tell Your Pads Ought to be Replaced
Let's go over some of the ways that you can use to allow you to determine if it's time to replace those brake pads. If you are hearing what seems like metal on metal when you brake, then there's an excellent likelihood that your pads have been worn out entirely (have a look). Brake pads come manufactured with grooves sliced into the braking side of the pad, usually running along the pad's entire span.
When you have rubbing in between 2 items (i.e. brake pad and tire rim) you certainly will develop a large amount of heat. The grooves sole purpose is to get rid of this high temperature as efficiently as they can. Take a good look at the pads and when you cannot observe grooves, then you should recognize you have to have them swapped out. Let us proceed then on the idea that you do indeed need to have your brake pads changed. It’s time to switch them out.
How to Exchange Your Bike Brake Pads
Don't be concerned, the task of changing out your brake pads doesn't need considerable time or energy. The first task is to loosen the set screw or hex bolt (whichever is present on your pads) on each of the pads. As soon as the screws (or hex bolts) are loosened, the pad will be able to be taken straight out. With the worn out pad removed, the brand new one can easily be placed as a replacement following the same actions that you just performed merely doing them in reverse order. After the new pad is in position, you might want to make certain that the set screws (or hex bolts) are re-tightened as well.
Now How Hard Was That?
Awesome job; you should feel a sense of achievement for having taken up this problem and passed with flying colors. To make your brake system last even longer, always keep them free of mud, dirt and debris whenever possible. A very simple wipe down after your ride will go a long way to maintaining them in exceptional working order.
Methods To Correct Damaged Bike Disc Brakes
Are you an avid mountain biker? Even if you aren't, if you ride with disc brakes (which are starting to become the norm), then you are at risk of bending your disc brake rotor. Read on and discover how to fix one that has been bent.
The Straightforward Procedure That Helps You To Get Your Bike Chain Back On While Riding
Dropping a chain is a fairly regular occurence while out riding your bike. Most people think that they need to stop, get off their bikes and get their hands all greasy to try and get it back on. This article shows you how to get that chain back on without even having to stop your bike.
Tips on How to Repair a Punctured Bike Inner Tube
Flat tires happen all the time so why not learn to fix the inner tube rather than throw it out. This article will walk you through just how to do that.
