How to Prepare Your New Brakes for Optimal Performance

Before heading out for your first ride with new brake pads, it’s crucial not to overlook the final but essential step: brake bedding. This process, which takes only 10 minutes in a quiet parking lot and a bit of patience, is key to ensuring that your brakes perform optimally. Bedding in the brakes helps increase the friction between the pads and discs by ensuring an even distribution of pad material on the discs. Although you may be eager to hit the road, take the time to carefully complete this step: proper bedding is essential to achieve the maximum braking power you deserve.

Step 1: Perform 20 Gentle Braking Cycles

To start, it is essential to "bed in" your brakes. This means allowing the pads and discs to settle and adapt to each other. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Roll Smoothly: Start by riding at a moderate speed on a flat, open surface.
2. Brake Gently: Apply the brakes progressively and gently, without forcing. You should feel a light and controlled braking.
3. Repeat the Process: Perform 20 gentle braking cycles, alternating between accelerating and braking gradually. This helps the pads conform to the disc surface without overheating.

Step 2: Perform 10 Firm Braking Cycles

Once the 20 gentle braking cycles are complete, it’s time to move on to firmer braking to continue the bedding process:

1. Increase Pressure: Accelerate to a moderate speed, then apply the brakes more firmly but still in a controlled manner.
2. Perform Firm Brakes: Complete 10 firm braking cycles, applying more pressure on the levers to increase braking force. The goal is to enhance the contact between the pads and the disc while ensuring proper ventilation to prevent overheating.

Step 3: Allow the Brakes to Cool

After completing the gentle and firm braking cycles, it is crucial to let the brakes cool down completely before using them for your first ride. Here’s why:

1. Prevent Overheating: Braking cycles can generate heat. Allowing the brakes to cool ensures that the pads and discs are not overheated, which could affect their performance and longevity.
2. Ensure Better Performance: Complete cooling guarantees that the brakes are in optimal condition for maximum performance during your first ride.

Additional Tips:

• Check Adjustments: Before your first ride, make sure the brakes are properly adjusted and that the pads do not rub against the disc when not applied.
• Monitor Sounds: During the initial use, listen carefully for any unusual noises that might indicate a problem. Sounds like squeaking could suggest a need for adjustment or a bedding issue.

By following these steps, you ensure that your new brakes are well-prepared to provide reliable and safe performance right from the start. Enjoy your next bike ride with perfectly bedded brakes!