Bicycle Brake Pads
Safety is a priority when using any form of transportation, including riding a bicycle. Nothing is more important to bike safety then the ability to stop at any moment, so efficient brakes are vital. Its important to buy the right type of brake pads for your model of bicycle.
When should brake pads be replaced?The grooves on your brake pads cause friction against your wheel whenever you press your brakes. When it gets to the point that the rubber part of the pad is gone, this means that the pads are completely worn out. You need to get new pads as soon as possible.
It might be better to replace them even sooner if you feel that your stop is not as strong as it should. Whenever you ride your bicycle, pay attention to how quickly your brakes respond. When you notice that it takes longer to brake, your pads need to be replaced, and there may be other possible problems with the brake system that need to be addressed. When doing such a check, it is important to keep in mind that your bicycle stops better in dry conditions than rainy or muddy ones.
How do you replace brake pads?- Finding a New Pair: When choosing new brake pads, make sure that they are the right size and fit around the rim of your wheel. The pads must be thick enough to squeeze the rim whenever you constrict the breaks. On the flip side, they cannot be touching your rim, even slightly, whenever you are not pressing or using the brake. The only time you want such friction from your brake pads is when you are braking. Record the size of brake pads that fit your bike so that you know what size to get next time your pads need to be replaced.
- Replacing: To switch them, you need a screw diver or hex wrench to unscrew the old pads and screw in the new ones. Make sure the new breaks pads are screwed in tightly enough and do not turn or move around.
- Checking Everything Else: While youre at it, you can also make adjustments to the rest of brake system. Make sure the brake pads are aligned with the rim of your wheel. If they are not, adjust the caliper, which is the fork between the brake pads, using a hex or screwdriver. Adjust the caliper so that it is tight enough around to ensure a quick brake. As the pads wear down, many bikers tighten the caliper to reduce the distance between the break pad and the wheel. If you did this, make sure you adjust the caliper to the proper position when you install the new pads.