The bicycle rapidly began to gain popularity among ordinary citizens. But before leaving for every walk you need to conduct a small technical inspection. It is necessary to constantly monitor that all the necessary nodes are in perfect order. The outcome of the walk depends on this: will it be pleasant or not. Well, which system guarantees driving safety? Of course, the brakes. Today we’ll talk about what kind of systems there are, how to replace brake pads for a bicycle and many other nuances.
What are the brakes
Technology does not stand still. Therefore, brake systems for bicycles are constantly being improved. For an ordinary bicycle lover, you need to know that there are two types of brakes: disc and rim. These are two diametrically different brakes. Because of them, cyclists were divided into two camps. Some believe that there is nothing better than the good old and proven rims, while others believe that this is an outdated technology, so disc brakes are much more modern and efficient than their predecessors. It should be noted that each of them is right. They have one thing in common, without which neither one nor the second will go far. These are brake pads for a bicycle. It is they who perform the main function - create friction, which stops the vehicle. And still, a disc system or a rim, brake pads for a bicycle require equal attention. This means that this element must also be looked after. In the event of complete wear and tear, they should be replaced immediately, since then the bicycle will simply stop braking. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the condition of your bike.
Bicycle brake pads: disc brakes
This type of brake is also called rotary. This is because a special disk (rotor) is used for braking, not a rim. It rotates with the wheel. The main role here is played by the caliper, which clamps the rotor with its pads. This is the whole point of disc brakes.
Rim brakes
The device is a bit simpler here. The role of the caliper is performed by two levers that clamp the brake pads, thereby stopping the wheel.
How to determine the wear of bicycle pads
The fact is that before replacing bicycle brake pads, it is best to check for wear. Suddenly they are still fit for such a service. In general, good manufacturers make special notches on their product that help determine the wear of the system. When the pads are erased so that the slots themselves are no longer visible, then this is a signal that it is time to change them already. But before replacing the worn element, one must ask the question: "But what affects their service life?"
The first thing that affects longevity is the number of kilometers and riding style. Everything is clear, the more you ride, the stronger the pads are torn off. Compare a person who loves simple and unhurried walks in his city, or a cyclist who cannot live without a headlong descent from the mountain and active driving along forest paths. Therefore, much also depends on the riding style.
In fact, these tips for extending the life of brake rubber are needed only for those who are seriously engaged in a bicycle, or very enthusiastic people. The fact is that good brake pads live an average of fifteen thousand kilometers, and some even more than thirty thousand kilometers. Ordinary people now thought that there was some kind of mistake, but no. In fact, for lovers this is just a couple of cycling seasons. But ordinary people who just love to go out in the countryside on weekends also need to replace these nodes, but not because they travel so much. As a rule, beginners make some mistakes that lead to quick wear of the brake surface. Is it possible to make so that to change the pads as little as possible? The answer is yes.
How to extend the life of brake pads
As a rule, we brake with one brake. Some people sometimes advise changing pads from the front wheel to the rear wheel and vice versa. So they are erased more or less evenly.
You also need to check that the system is perfectly tuned (this applies to any type of brakes). It happens that the setting flies, and some block clamps the rim all the time. So you need to immediately pay attention to this. Not only does this greatly complicate the movement, but such a ride just “eats” the pads. This may be the case with the disk system. The problem is solved in a simple way - by quality tuning all the brakes.
Replacing brake pads on a bicycle
If it comes to this, then it is worth considering the acquisition of quality goods. How to change brake pads for a bicycle? Disk in this regard is better. There generally occurs a replacement in a couple of actions. No need to disassemble the brake. Just pull out the old pads and insert new ones. Then it’s worth adjusting them a bit, because the settings may go awry.
Pads on rim brakes are also pretty easy to swap. To do this, unscrew the block with the hexagon and replace it with a new one. Only after installation is it necessary to adjust the brakes and make sure that everything is evenly installed.