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A road bike is a lightweight type of bicycle all-time for riding and racing on paved surfaces. However, like all bikes, they'll eventually demand new brake pads as the old ones wear out over time. Luckily, swapping out brake pads is simple on most road bikes. They use a rim brake system, and many have a quick-release machinery to get the quondam pads out and the new ones in within simply a few minutes. With the right tools and tips, you lot should be on your manner again in no time!

  1. one

    Hit the quick-release lever on the restriction calipers to widen them. Most road bikes have a quick-release lever on the brakes for like shooting fish in a barrel changing. Look for a lever on each brake housing. Push this lever upwardly to open the brakes and make them easier to work on.[i]

    • If the cycle doesn't accept a quick-release, look on the side of the calipers for an adjustment knob. Turn the knob counterclockwise to widen the restriction pads every bit much as you tin.
    • Likewise hitting the quick-release lever if yous remove the bike wheel and then there's room to accept the wheel off.

  2. 2

    Take off the bicycle if you don't have enough room to work on the brakes. Route bikes are commonly designed and then y'all don't take to take the whole wheel off to change the brake pads. If you hit the quick-release and the pads are however too close to the wheel frame, or there is no quick-release lever, then you lot'll take to remove the wheel. Most wheels accept a quick-release lever on the axle, so push this upwardly to release the bicycle. Then pop the wheel out of the axle.[two]

    • If the cycle doesn't have a quick-release for the wheel, and so use a wrench and unscrew the nut on the beam. Then slide the bolt out and remove the wheel.

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  3. 3

    Unscrew the retaining screw on the brake shoe to loosen the brake pad. The restriction shoe is the platform that the pad attaches to, and it has 2 screws. The larger one holds the brake shoe in place, and the smaller one secures the brake pad. Accept an Allen key and plow the smaller, retaining screw counterclockwise to loosen it. You can remove the screw entirely, or unscrew it about 75% to free the restriction pad.[3]

    • The size of the Allen fundamental might vary, just 2 mm is a common size for bike brakes.
    • If you do remove the screw, go on rails of it and then you don't lose it. You'll need it to put the new brake pad on.

  4. 4

    Slide the brake pad backwards out of the shoe. With the screw loosened, the brake pads volition slide out of position. Push the pad from the front and pull it out through the back of the shoe.[iv]

    • If the pad is stuck, effort pulling it with a pair of pliers or pushing it with a screwdriver.
    • If you still can't get the pad out, and then you might accept to loosen the spiral more or take it out entirely.

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  1. i

    Go new brake pads made of a strong material. Generally, the size for bike restriction pads is universal, so the primary difference is which material yous'll utilise. You take several choices, and so choice the ane that suits your needs.[5]

    • Cheaper bike pads are made of resin. These volition piece of work fine but wear out quickly.
    • Metal brake pads tend to not stop the cycle as well, only they concluding much longer and work just as well in wet or rainy conditions.
    • Ceramic brakes usually perform very well. Even so, their shape could warp over time.
    • If yous need any guidance, enquire an employee at a bike shop for help.

  2. 2

    Point the new restriction pad forrard so it faces the right direction. Brake pads commonly have an "R" or "L" on them to indicate which side of the bike they go on, every bit well as an pointer to testify which direction is the front. Check for these markings and hold the restriction pad and then it's facing the correct direction.[six]

    • The brake pad should be parallel to the tire rim.[seven]

  3. iii

    Slide the new pad into the caliper. Insert the pad into the dorsum of the brake shoe and button it frontward. Slide the pad until it's completely in the shoe.[eight]

    • You might hitting some resistance as y'all insert the pad further. You can employ pliers or a screwdriver to help get the pad in position.
    • If you have a lot of trouble getting the pad into position, double check the pad markings to make sure it'due south facing the right direction.

  4. 4

    Tighten the retaining spiral on the caliper. When the pad is all the style in, the retaining spiral should become back in easily. Employ the same Allen key and plow the screw clockwise to tighten information technology. Go along turning until the spiral is all the way in.[9]

    • If the spiral won't go in all the way, you may non have slid the pad in enough. Attempt pushing information technology some more to get it into the right position.

  5. 5

    Repeat the process for the 3 other brake pads. Since bikes have 4 brake pads total, you'll have to repeat this procedure three more times. The second restriction pad is on the other side of the caliper, directly across from the start i yous replaced. The other 2 are on the other wheel in the same spot. This should merely have a few more minutes, so follow the same procedure to go your cycle brakes upwards and running.

    • If you had to remove the bike, and so you'll have to likewise adjust the new brake pads.

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  1. ane

    Put the bike back on if you lot removed information technology. Have the bike bicycle and sit down it back into the axle. Then push downward the quick-release lever to lock it dorsum in place. If y'all don't shut the calipers, your brakes may non work properly.[x]

    • If the bike doesn't take a quick-release lever, then slide the bolt back into the axle and tighten the nut effectually it to lock the wheel in place.[11]
    • If you didn't remove the bicycle, you probably don't accept to adjust the restriction pads.
    • Be certain the bicycle is seated all the way into the frame. Otherwise, your brakes won't line upwards properly.[12]

  2. 2

    Release the brake shoes by loosening the larger retaining screw. The larger retaining screw secures the brake shoe. Unscrew it with an Allen key until the shoe loosens enough to move upward and downwards.[thirteen]

    • You'll need a larger Allen key than the one y'all used to remove the brake pad. Test a few to make certain you accept the correct size.
    • Don't remove that screw completely or the brake shoe will fall off.
    • If you also have to supervene upon the brake shoes, you can undo this spiral entirely to take the shoe off. Then screw the new shoe into this slot.

  3. 3

    Slide the restriction pads and so they're aligned over the wheel rim. With the brake shoe loose, you lot can slide it up and down. Adapt the shoe so the pad is aligned perfectly over the wheel rim, where it's supposed to touch. Also brand sure the shoe is straight and that no parts of it affect the bike tire.[14]

    • If the pad touches the tire, non only will the cycle not stop properly, but the tire could popular. Make certain no part of the pad or shoe touches the tire at all, fifty-fifty when yous're pressing the brakes down.

  4. 4

    Tighten the retaining spiral to lock the pads in identify. In one case the pad is in the right position, get your Allen key again. Tighten the screw by turning it clockwise. This locks the shoe in place.[15]

  5. five

    Turn the aligning knob and so the pads balance 1⁄viii  in (0.32 cm) from the rim. Expect on the side of the brake calipers for a knob. This opens and closes the restriction pads. Once you've adjusted both brake pads on the caliper, plow the knob clockwise to tighten them. Conform them and so they rest about 1⁄8  in (0.32 cm) from the bike rim. This leaves enough infinite so the pads won't grind, but it's close plenty so you tin can yet finish well.[sixteen]

    • This is a standard distance, but you can adjust this if you want more or less sensitivity on your brakes.
    • It'southward of import to make sure the pads don't impact the rim unless y'all're pressing the brakes. Otherwise, the pads will grind and vesture out quickly. If you hear any noise while the wheels are spinning, the pads may be touching the rim.

  6. vi

    Exam the brakes to make certain they stop the wheels. Replacing your brakes improperly can be dangerous, and so always check your work when yous're done. First go over all the screws you loosened and make certain they're nice and tight.[17] Then lift upward the forepart of the bicycle and spin the wheel. Striking the restriction to make sure the cycle stops all the way. Exercise the same with the rear bike to ostend that the brakes are working properly.

    • Never try to ride the bike if the wheels aren't stopping properly. Accept the bike to a specialist for repairs.

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Add New Question

  • Question

    What are some mistakes to avert when I'thou changing my cycle brakes?

    Jonas Jackel

    Jonas Jackel is the Owner of Huckleberry Bicycles, a bicycle retail store based in San Francisco, California. Jonas has over 20 years of feel managing bicycle retail stores and has operated Blueberry Bicycles since 2022. Huckleberry Bicycles specializes in servicing, repairing, and custom building road, cross, gravel, touring, folding, and eastward-bikes. Jonas was besides previously sat on the Board of Directors for Bike Due east Bay, a wheel-advocacy non-profit organisation based in Oakland, California.

    Jonas Jackel

    Possessor, Huckleberry Bicycles

    Expert Reply

    Back up wikiHow past unlocking this expert answer.

    Some common mistakes include non having the restriction pad parallel to the rim, or not having the wheel installed properly on the bike. Also, if the quick release on your brakes are like calipers, make sure they're closed, or your brakes may feel like they need to exist adapted.

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Things You lot'll Need

  • New brake pads
  • Allen keys
  • Pliers or screwdriver

  • You might get some grease on your hands while you're replacing your brakes. Be ready to wash your hands or wearable gloves.

  • Nigh road bikes apply rim brakes, but you can also gear up disc brakes if your bike uses these.

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  • Your brakes are an important part of your bike and need to be a tiptop shape. If you lot aren't certain how to replace brakes properly, take the bike to a professional person to make sure it'due south washed right.

  • Whenever yous ride for the first time afterward working on your brakes, start tiresome and test them out. If you lot made a mistake on your brakes, you could get injure while riding at top speed.

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References

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