STOP! How to set up and maintain your bicycle brakes | GCN Tech Crash Course Ep.2

[@rivnuts7398]

I’m often confused but did you not put the new “right hand” pad into the left caliper?

[@ReNcEsTaR]

Thats my only reason for coming to the comments!?!?

[@lindy-loumaddock5979]

I thought that, right and left from where, exactly, as you sit on the bike, or from the front?

[@matteo.ceriotti]

There need to be more close up shots in these videos!

[@virgilproductions]

Much of this seems so simple…yet to have a guide makes a huge difference when it comes to having to confidence to get it done

[@lindy-loumaddock5979]

As a real beginner, I'm really nervous about removing the back wheel. It would be so helpful to see how this is done. Is there another vid for this?

[@galenkehler]

Automotive disc brake anti-squeal can really help a super stubbornly squealing disc brake. Some forks just have resonance, and can't be fixed with alignment, but the high temperature rubber of the anti-squeal can work a trick.

[@michaelbuna9539]

Loving these videos. Keep them coming !!

[@jpj4449]

Hi Alex. Don’t wish to be a pedant but FYI the bolt keeping rim brake pads in place isn’t a grub screw. It’s a button head hex screw. Grub screws are headless. A grub screw is so called because it looks like a grub (insect larvae).

[@kidShibuya]

6:40 These are the right hand side... proceeds to install it on the left :)

[@hadesmcc]

LOOOL, yeah, I noticed that too!

[@KaushikNSanji]

Yup, and I also see that he is operating the right hand brake for front wheel! I always have used it for the rear wheel. I guess everything is reversed in this cycle?!

[@hadesmcc]

@@KaushikNSanji no, he made a legitimate mistake. As for the brake, that's just a thing that some left-hand drive countries have. They use moto style brakes, which is right hand for front brake, left for rear. This is the opposite of the American bicycle standard, which is what the majority of the world uses.

[@jaredlash5002]

The same thing is true on the disc brake example too. 12:36

[@alanearp5019]

@@KaushikNSanji Yep, front brake has always been on the right in Britain, same on motor bikes. I think having front brake on the left is a continental thing that has taken favour with some due to import of non-British made bikes.

[@Matio25091]

Instead of a screwdriver to push the pads out, use a pencil with an eraser/rubber on the end. The eraser won't damage you or the paint if it slips. Or, a plastic tire lever. But everyone has a pencil somewhere around.

[@alanearp5019]

Also, for new pads on rim brakes make sure they are the correct type for the wheels, ie metal or carbon rims.

[@jpj4449]

Yep. And make sure they are approved by your wheel manufacturer. Using unapproved pads may result in loss of warranty especially on high end carbon wheels (Zipp, Mavic, Enve etc).

[@albertokusmic9239]

Crystal clear, thanks for sharing! 👌

[@recstoppauseplay]

Great and helpful video (and series) Alex! The only detail I would add is the convention of which is the right and which is the left side of the bike. I know it's the side of the bike from the rider's point of view from the saddle, but it's good to just mention it. In automotive service I've noticed that mechanics will ask the customer if it's the driver's side or the passenger's since opinions of right and left vary.

[@maribee5423]

He actually said the opposite of that, now I'm totally confused!

[@kickuchiyo8586]

Very helpful. FYI the playlist is out of order

[@ppham]

It says right snd left pads but at which orientation lol I ain’t touching my brakes until know it’s else it’ll be a real crash course

[@chrishebert5672]

I didn't realize rim brakes had changed. I have Ultegra brakes from 1991 on my custom-built Tesch. Just one big 5mm screw holds the rubber and metal back part in place. Even then, though, the right side of the bike was on the right.

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

Hey Alex, why not put a finger print of "copper never-seez" on the back of the pads? It helps keep your brakes from squealing.

[@jonathanhill9920]

Semi-related: when might you use grease instead of anti-seize?

[@bobbysilver272]

Good as far as it goes, but I'm surprised you didn't mention anything regarding toeing of caliper brake pads to help minimise brake squeals.

[@jpj4449]

If you’re simply replacing the pads, the shoe will already be toed in. Toeing in only needs to be done when replacing the whole brake block (shoe and pad together).

[@bobbysilver272]

@@jpj4449 Yes, but so many haven't a clue and so many have it wrong already. Mentioning it in the video would have been a perfect time and place to do so.

[@robertwaters9432]

When it says “Left” and “Right” on the pads is this looking at the bike from the front or from sitting on the saddle and behind the bars?

[@galenkehler]

Either is fine. 😆 Kidding aside, right and left on a bike are as you sit on the bike. The drivetrain side is the right side. Disc brakes are all on the left side.

[@inspiredtotired8369]

12:36 Right sided pad on left side of bike. Amateurs 😂

[@Reedys_Digest]

Hmmm Crash course on brake maintenance. What could possibly go wrong 🤔

[@DougMorley1]

Re. rim brakes - the brake shoes that house the pads do have a front and rear to them. Sometimes pads can be an absolute menace and refuse to come out. Buying new brake shoes with pads already fitted can safe anguish. They must be fitted the correct way and correctly lined up or you risk the pads sliding out of the shoes when braking. Not all brake shoes have grub screws to hold the pads in place and rely on the correctly fitted shoes to avoid this mishap.

[@Jensen_MacD]

6:40 ?!? I’m still new to bikes but did he put the right bad on the left side? When working on a car, sides are based on sitting in the drivers seat. So right would would passenger side. I assumed bikes are the same way from sitting on the saddle or is it based on looking at the bike?

[@Pienimusta]

Hate adjusting those v-brakes with those small bolts. They need almost constant adjusting, as the angle changes when pad wears out.

[@ianboyes4414]

I think I’m being daft. The rim break pads are marked L & R because they are slightly curved to match your rim... surely if you flip the break around your can match the curvature of the where on either side. Is the risk actually putting it in upside down? In which case how does L&R help. Am I being simple or is the curvature of the pad not the reason you have L&R on the pads.

[@ebikescrapper3925]

I use isopropyl alcohol, to clean my rims and disk rotors.

[@sundayawosoro4978]

Hello from Nigeria! 👋 Please, how can I get this book?

[@guilhermeazevedo1250]

Can someone please help me understand why the right pad is on the left side of the bike?

[@kw9000]

He made a mistake.

[@maribee5423]

Please could you clarify that you put the Right brake pad on the right side as you look at the bike from the front (my logic says the opposite!!)

[@guislainbeaucamp8917]

#ASKGCNTECH : why is there a fin under the pad holder and what is the small screw in it for?

[@edmundwhitmore5946]

I for one lube my brakes regularly

[@dparrigo]

#ASKGCNTECH: I see the pads on the disc bike had the cooling fins on them. My stock pads do not. I have the Shimano Ultegra groupset, and would like to know if the finned pads are interchangeable with the non-finned ones. Thanks.

[@davtwill531]

Disc brake pad nearest to Alex when he removed (12:36) it was R. Surely it should have been the L pad? Am I missing something, never had disc brakes myself. Is it based on looking at the bike head on 🤔

[@maribee5423]

I agree with you, confused now

[@mhthmusicvideos]

Probably the most important component for a 'crash course'

[@davegearing2707]

What about the rotors? How to determine if they need changing?

[@666louis]

If they turned into a deli-slicer, you've waited too long ^^. But yeah, I wondered about that myself.

[@florinb4668]

0:43 bike is nice,what brand it is?

[@magicknight8412]

Toeing in not mentioned?

[@garyhocking6947]

#AskGCNTech Would like to see how you would realign the disc brake calipers if there is brake rub after changing out the pads.

[@jimhansen5395]

If they weren't rubbing before, it's probalby just a matter of using a plastic tire lever to press the pistons back into the calipers. It's always good to do this any time you take the pads out, but especially when you (or before) install new pads.

[@tonks1968]

Brilliant brilliant brilliant

[@robinbarker2607]

super video ,,

[@RESolberg]

#askgcnteck. What is the correct way to tighten a quick release axel and how tight should it be?

[@gazonatrike7005]

maybe shouldn't use 'crash course' and 'setting up brakes' in the same video??? :)

[@indeedmyson]

Lol

[@markj.a351]

Do DA brakes have more stopping power than 105 or is it just a weight difference? Also curious as to why that DA equipped F12 has a 105 crankset.

[@yisraels4555]

Maximum braking is at the point when the rear wheel stars to rise.. about 0.6 G.. doesn't make any difference what type of brakes.. any more and you go right over the handlebar. Any good brake will easily do that and should be controllable.

[@darinsteele7091]

it's more about pad meterial, stock shimano pads for rim brakes are garbage

[@markj.a351]

@@yisraels4555 I see. Thanks for explaining.

[@jpj4449]

It doesn’t have pedals fitted either. I think the bike usually has a non GCN sponsor power meter chainset installed (Stages or Quark) so they’ve fitted a 105 crankset just for while they’re filming this vid.

[@yisraels4555]

The 105 setup could also be a cost savings.... well maybe in the real world...

[@chadam2010]

When removing my wheels there is not enough clearence to get the tire past the breakpads so i have to deflate it before beeing able to get it out. Is there a fix for this?

[@richardharris8538]

Usually, if not always, there's a release mechanism on rim brakes that, when operated, increases the distance between the pads. In my experience, that's usually enough to allow for removal of the wheels without the need for deflating the tires. Just remember to switch it back before riding the bike, otherwise your brake won't work.

[@chadam2010]

@@richardharris8538 opening the break pads to their furthest point isn't enough to get the tire through unfortunately

[@LegSpinna]

#AskGCNTech Is the left and right hand side of a bike viewed from the front or rear?

[@jpj4449]

From the rear.

[@stevehambley55]

No comments on when you should change your brake pads (how much wear) or toeing in rim brake pads. Otherwise a informative video.

[@anthonyfawagan3962]

Nice one watching from Philippines..

[@brianrichardson5310]

...but don't pull the lever to settle the new pads without the wheel in!

[@owenchase4017]

Neither the rim brake pads nor the disc brake pads in the video are anything like the ones on my bikes.

[@nonamerider8563]

Hmmmmm🤔🤔 105 with dura acc di2??? Realy?

Is it possible that you first return pistons so clumsy and illogical and THEN remove disk brake pads? WTF!?

[@bigbywolf6510]

For new riders: Don't forget to spray wd40 on brake pads it will last longer.

[@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1]

Disc brakes are like having a high maintenance girlfriend with lots of allergies 😐

[@mihalis1010]

Literally never had any issues with disk brakes, and even if I did, it would be well worth it for the ability to actually stop my bike instead of just suggesting it slows down like rim brakes do.

[@666louis]

@@mihalis1010 Maybe for a fat rider on a downhill bike. My rim brakes on my road bike lock my wheel up very easily if I'm not careful. How much more breaking performance than locking the wheel do you need?

[@mihalis1010]

@@666louis I'm 75kg, and I live in the mountains. It rains a lot as well. Far too many times have I almost overshot intersections because rim brakes just weren't slowing me down. Again, I've never had problems with disks, so I honestly don't see the downside to having them. This incessant love for rim brakes seems to fueled by nothing more than nostalgia.

[@666louis]

@@mihalis1010 Ah well, I don't ride in the rain, fair point though. For my disk brakes it seems that no matter how careful thoroughly I clean the calipers, one cylinder is always quicker to extend so I get one sided rubbing on the pads. Or, the other way around, one cylinder doesn't want to retract the same distance than the other then I get rubbing while not breaking. It just seems they are very sensitive to dust ingress and then give you troubles.

[@mihalis1010]

@@666louis That seems to me like faulty brakes, and/or not having them properly bled. My Ultegra calipers never rub other than when I am climbing out of the saddle. I have SRAM 4 piston calipers on my enduro bike, which I ride in mud and dust, and they also never seem to rub. I also am a bit obsessive with cleaning my bikes though, almost like it is some sort of catharsis for my anxiety, but I really don't do much with the brakes themselves. I will admit that bedding in pads that are new or freshly cleaned is a bit of a drag, and just not bedding them at all can make for some unnecessary issues, like slightly decreased or uneven performance, and howling. They howl in the wet either way though, so I guess it doesn't matter that much.

[@annaerminie7120]

0:44 vol.vin

[@Bacciagalupe]

: )

[@tomskid27]

Stop it #GCNtech with this guy giving mechanical advice. 1) Brake advice coming from the same guy that used a dirty rag on brake rotors for the detailing video? Stop it. 2) Now this video he shows disc pads touching his hand to where the oil of his skin is touching the pad surface when he talks about the pad spring? 3) Then for rim brakes, he puts the wrong pad on the wrong side. This guy is not a wrench. He’s a hack. Please stop #GCNtech. His ‘tutoring’ is creating garage hacks everywhere. Shameful.

[@tomahoks]

Rim brakes, pfffffttt. Never going back from discs.

[@MilanSmore]

The added weight and rubbing is just too good

[@myownsite]

I guess it's because I moved from decent quality rim brakes to entry level disks, but I don't enjoy my disk brakes... They seem to lose alignment each time I reinstall my wheel and getting them dialed in again is a bit of a pain.

[@fredhubbard7210]

Crash course in adjusting you brakes? Great. Don't need a video for that.