We have a few easy steps to level up your brake maintenance skills.
1. Centering calipers
Undo the caliper bolts, so it can move around on its mount – rotate the wheel - pull the brake and nip up the bolts (not completely) but just enough to keep the caliper in position. Often this would be enough to center the caliper.
Release the brake and see how it is. If it is still rubbing a little, adjust it by looking down on the pads and manipulate it manually by your hand until it is no longer touching.
As you do this make sure you don’t touch the rotors with your bare hands.
2. Marking your lever’s position
Mark your handlebar at your brake lever clamp. You can actually do this to all of your controls. It is a pro mechanic tip that they always use to ensure it is always on the right position.
3. Quick bleed
Ask for professional help if you don’t have the necessary tools
If a little air trapped in the system at the lever end you can just top it up with a little amount of brake fluid. It also compensates worn out pads by pushing them further out.
Use the correct tools according to your brake manufacturer.
Level off the brake levers and make sure it is higher than the calpiers so the air bubbles can travel up.
Open your brake system and add some mineral fluid – activate the brake a few times and check if bubbles showing up. Tap the cable to help the bubbles travel up. Pull the brake lever a few more times it should be firming up by now. Carefully remove your bleeding tool. Close the brake system.
4. Keep lever angle perfectly
Set your lever to your preferred positions. Use a digital angle finder app on mobile to measure it.
Next time you can set the the exact same angle with ease. This is also a pro mechanic tip that they always use. Feel free to play around with it on your other controls as well.
