The care and maintenance of MTB disc brakes is crucial to ensure a long service life and consistently high braking performance. This includes regular inspections for wear, cleaning the brake pads and discs and replacing worn parts in good time. However, adjusting the brakes is also an important step to ensure optimum braking behaviour and avoid unwanted noises or loss of performance.
Another aspect of MTB disc brake care is the brake pad break-in process. This process is important to bring the brakes to maximum performance and ensure consistent braking behaviour. However, even if all these steps are followed, problems such as squeaking or grinding brakes can occur that require targeted troubleshooting. It is therefore advantageous to know the basic repair techniques so that you can solve minor problems yourself. From adjusting the brakes to shortening the brake hose or bleeding the system - knowing about these processes can not only save time and money, but also increase riding safety on the MTB.
The following sections contain valuable tips and tricks for MTB disc brake maintenance, repair and adjustment. From the most common problems, such as squeaking brakes, to specific maintenance tasks, such as changing the brake pads, here are 5 practical tips and instructions to help you keep the disc brakes on your favourite MTB in top condition.
1 - Tips against squeaking disc brakes on the bike
Mountain biking quickly becomes a nightmare when the disc brakes squeal. But this is not only annoying, it can also impair braking performance. Here we show you how to solve these problems quickly. It is important to distinguish between two scenarios: A disc brake can either grind constantly, making a noise (often a ringing or regular grinding noise), or it can squeal or whine only when the brake is applied. But there is a solution...
2 - Important tips for braking in the brake pads on a mountain bike
If you notice a fluctuating effect or a high level of wear on your MTB disc brakes, the cause could be easy to rectify: with the correct brake pad adjustment. MTB disc brakes with organic brake pads in particular can experience a sudden total failure (fading), accompanied by an acrid smell. We have the reasons and the solution here.
Brake lever squeezes through - pressure loss in the disc brake: What to do?
If the brake lever on your MTB disc brake can be squeezed without the brake engaging, this can be dangerous on the trail. It is important to act immediately if the brake performance is poor. The repair should not be delayed, as the brake is a particularly important part of the bike in terms of safety. If you have to pull the brake lever of a hydraulic disc brake all the way to the handle in order for there to be any deceleration at all, you should act quickly - and read on here.
Shortening the brake line & bleeding the disc brake on the bike
Brake lines that are too long, poor pressure point on the brake lever: We show you the steps you need to take to get your MTB disc brakes working properly. Shortening the brake hose or bleeding the brake does require some manual skill, but with our detailed illustrated instructions, this repair will also be a breeze. You only need a few tools such as an open-end spanner, pipe spanner, Torx or Allen key. You will also need items such as a drip tray and oil container and disposable gloves or the so-called "bleeding kit" that goes with the brake.
Instructions: Changing disc brake pads quickly and safely
The performance of a disc brake, and therefore safety when cycling, depends enormously on the brake pads. It is therefore important to check them regularly and replace them in good time. In most cases, real emergencies with the mountain bike's disc brake can be prevented in advance of a tour. In contrast to a flat tyre or a torn rear derailleur, problems with the brakes do not usually occur suddenly during a tour. They usually announce themselves in a gradual process and can therefore be rectified at an early stage. If you regularly check your brake pads for wear, replace them in good time or don't ignore a poor pressure point for weeks, you can rectify the most common sources of faults in the brake system yourself in your own workshop.
Maik Schröder
Editor
