A guide to bike brakes

Your bike's brakes are an essential part of your bicycle, so it’s important you’re aware of how they work, so that you can effectively maintain and clean them to ensure safety and controlled speed out on the road, park, or trail.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is essential to the working order of hydraulic brakes. Your brake system must be bled of air bubbles and dirty fluid regularly, as failure to do so can lead to soft, spongy brakes and reduced stopping power.

You should always ensure that you’re using the correct braking fluids. For example, if you’re riding with Shimano brakes, then mineral oil should be used, and with SRAM brakes, DOT fluid is compatible.

Brake Pads

Your brake pads are the area that makes contact with the brake disc or wheel rim to control your speed or bring you to a stop.

Disc brake pads are unique to the type of disc brake caliper being used, and therefore not interchangeable. They are available in different compounds:

Organic (Resin) Pads
These offer quieter braking with a softer feel and good initial bite. They’re ideal for everyday riding and commuting but tend to wear faster, especially in wet or muddy conditions.

Sintered (Metal) Pads
Made from metallic compounds, these pads are more durable and perform better in wet conditions and on long descents. They can be a little noisier and may cause slightly more rotor wear, but they’re a great choice for MTB and heavier-use riding.

V-Brake pads feature a threaded bolt attached to the stem of the pad, with some pads having replaceable inserts, others only one piece. Traditional cantilever pads are similar but do not feature a threaded seam.

For a wheel with a carbon-fibre surface, a compatible pad must be used.

Brake Levers

Brake levers mount to your handlebars and control the brake caliper using either a hydraulic hose or a cable. It’s important to match the lever to the brake type, as hydraulic levers only work with hydraulic brakes, and cable levers only work with cable brakes.

Brake levers are also designed to suit different handlebar styles. MTB and hybrid brake levers are made for flat handlebars, while road bike brake levers are designed for drop handlebars.

For the best performance and reliability, we recommend using the same brand throughout your braking system. For example, if you’re running Shimano brakes, pair them with Shimano brake levers for the best fit and feel.

Brake Mounts

Brake mounts are used to attach a disc brake caliper to your bike’s frame or fork.

There are three main mount types along with three corresponding caliper types:

• Post Mount
• IS (International Standard)
• Flat Mount

Thanks to adaptors, almost any combination can be made to work. For example, if your fork has an IS mount but your brake uses a Post Mount caliper, you’ll need an IS to Post Mount adaptor to connect the two.

Adaptors are also required when changing brake rotor size. Frames and forks are designed to work with a specific minimum rotor size without an adaptor. If you upgrade to a larger rotor, the caliper needs to sit further away from the frame or fork, which is achieved using the correct rotor size adaptor.

Brake Rotors

Your disc brake rotor gives a smooth braking surface.

There are two main types of disc brake rotor mounting systems:

• 6-bolt rotors attach to the hub using six bolts
• Centre Lock rotors attach to the hub using a single lock-ring

Brake rotors can also be designed in different ways to help manage heat during braking. Common designs include floating (two-piece) rotors, which allow the braking surface to expand as it heats up, and rotors with cooling fins, which help disperse heat more effectively. These designs reduce the risk of overheating and help maintain consistent braking performance.

They are available in different sizes, but larger rotors give more powerful braking performance and are heavier than smaller rotors.

If you decide to change the size of the rotor, a brake adaptor will be needed to move the caliper in or out to fit.

Brake Calipers

Brake calipers come in different styles, but all calipers have the same function, and are used to push the brake pads to create contact with the wheel or the rotor.

The caliper can be used on the wheel rim or the disc, and hydraulic or cable actuated to suit the lever and braking system.

• Disc brakes: The caliper attaches to the frame or fork and connects to the brake lever with a cable or hydraulic hose.
• Rim brakes: The brake squeezes the wheel rim. Types include V-brakes, cantilever, and road calipers. They differ in size, mounting, and cable pull.

Brake Sets

Brake sets include the main connected components needed for a complete braking setup. They typically do not include brake rotors or mounting adaptors, which are sold separately.

Brake sets are available for both rim brakes and disc brakes. A standard brake set includes the brake lever and brake caliper, and with hydraulic disc brake sets, this also includes the hydraulic hose and fittings.

Cable-operated brake sets don’t always come with the required inner and outer brake cables, so these may need to be purchased separately. Brake sets can be sold as a pair (front and rear) or as individual front or rear brakes, depending on the product.

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are the most powerful brake system available. They work by the brake lever pulling the disc brake caliper, which in turn pushes the brake pads to make contact with the disc rotor to slow the wheel down or stop it.

The disc brake is a more reliable braking surface in comparison to a wheel rim, which rim brakes work on, as wheel rims are more susceptible to getting covered in mud and dirt.

Disc brakes either work with cable systems or hydraulic systems, with hydraulic systems providing the most stopping power.

Spare Parts

Because there are so many variations of brakes, there are plenty of spare parts and small parts that keep every system running smoothly, including bolts, cables, and even tools such as brake bleeding kits.

Now that you know all about brakes, shop our brake sets and parts online, or visit us in-store where one of our helpful experts can provide more information.