Disc brakes on road bikes are now becoming increasingly popular, due to the powerful and reliable braking in all types of weather conditions, making them perfect for the variable British weather. Also, having the rotor attached externally prevents the rim from degradation over time, keeping your wheels looking fresher for longer. We’ve put together 4 top tips for maintaining the life of your new disc brakes.

1) Bed them in – The first job any new disc brake bike owner should do. This can be done by performing 3-5 sharp braking procedures before setting off on your ride. Get up to around 30-35kmph (or as fast as you can!) then pull on both brakes as hard as you can without skidding. Do this 3-5 times and the initial squeak should disappear and braking will be smoother and more responsive.

2) Inspect and clean your rotors regularly – as the main contact point for braking, it’s pretty important to keep the rotors free from oil and grime build up which can reduce stopping power. Use soap free water and if you can, alcohol infused wipes to prevent any chemical film from building up on the metal.

3) Check brake pad wear – Just like rim brakes, eventually the pads will wear on your disc brakes too. If you notice the stopping power degrading over time and the rotor is clean, then it’s probably time to change your pads.

4) Check caliper alignment – brake drag occurs when the rotor sits to one side of the two brake calipers, causing excessive wear, slowing you down and causing a reduction in stopping power. If this occurs, you may need to get the calipers adjusted and centralized. This can be performed by adjusting the limit screws on the brakes