You're out on your regular weekend ride to see just how many more speed records you can break (at least in your own mind) while hurtling down the biggest hill you can find. You always thought speed is your companion up until the thought occurs to you regarding being unable to stop once you get to the bottom of this mountain. Why wouldn't your brakes work for you now?
In most cases you do get lucky with your brakes but in order to be sure that they do the job every single time, you have to maintain them. Let's begin then and focus on your bike brake pads; in particular how you can change them whenever they have become worn out.
Varieties of Brakes
There are fundamentally 2 classes of brakes available on most bicycles. The 2 classes are disc brakes (otherwise known as hub brakes) and rim brakes. What follows is a detailed discussion of the most popular form of system found on the common bicycle; the rim brakes.
These types of brakes get their name from the method of braking action that they exhibit; they grab the rim of your wheel and create friction. The braking motion takes place as a result of the rubber pads grabbing your wheel thus slowing you down. There are typically 2 types of rim brakes available on most bicycles; Side pulls and Cantilever.
The biggest difference that you may notice among these 2 kinds is in regards to where the cable pulls from. Cable placement influences the brake pad motion and strength; the sidepull type gets their pull from the side and the cantilever varieties get pulled from the middle. Despite their cables, these 2 kinds of braking systems each employ rubber brake pads. Brakes are pretty simple systems; you pull the brake lever which pulls the cable which closes your brake pads onto your wheel. Every time you use your brakes, you gradually wear down the rubber from the brake pads.
After some time, you are going to eventually get to the point where there is no longer adequate rubber on your pad to safely stop you and your bike. If you happen to inspect your bike components on a regular basis, there won't be any surprises when it's time to make a decision to replace them. From a basic safety perspective, it is best to replace them just before they are completely worn down.
You Recognize Your Pads Need to Be Replaced When
Let's discuss a few of the techniques you can use to help you determine whether it is time to replace those brake pads. If you are hearing what seems like metal on metal when you brake, then there's a very good possibility that your pads are already worn out entirely (take a look). Another item that you should be spotting on your pads are grooves that have been cut into the rubber all along its length.
These particular grooves are there to help your pads to dissipate some of the high heat that they produce all through the braking action (it can get extremely warm in that area if you're constantly using your brakes). No grooves on used pads means time for you to get them replaced with new ones as quickly as possible. Let us then go with the scenario that your pads have been worn out so much that they should be replaced. Let us change them.
How you can Replace Your Bike Brake Pads
Don't be concerned, the task of changing out your brake pads doesn't involve a lot of time or energy. It really is as simple as loosening the set screw (or in certain instances a small hex bolt) on each the pads that you're going to remove. With the screws loose, the pad should just slip out. As soon as it's been removed, you can replace the worn out one with one that you bought from the neighborhood bicycle shop. Pad inserted, just ensure the set screws are re-tightened.
Now How Tough Was That?
Give yourself a nice pat on the back for successfully changing out the old brake pads. Now that you have completely new pads, try to keep them newer longer by regularly washing the mud and dirt off of the pads either before or after all of your rides. It just takes a quick wiping using a clean towel and you're back in business.
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