Top Tips For Travelling With Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Like them or loathe them, hydraulic disc brakes are here to stay in road cycling. Their improved power and modulation, particularly in the wet, outweighs the weight penalty for all but the most dedicated weight weenies and even the pro peloton overwhelmingly use hydraulic disc brakes in 2021.
While the performance gains of discs are widely accepted, there are a few things you’ll need to know about setup, maintenance and travelling with them, that differ from your old rim brakes. In this video, Alex takes us through a few top tips for travelling with disc brakes and in particular hydraulic disc brakes on your road bike.
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Do you have any other tips for travelling with hydraulic discs? Let us know in the comments 👇
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Watch more on GCN Tech...
📹 How To Fit & Set Up Shimano Road Bike Hydraulic Disc Brakes | GCN Tech's Full Setup & Installation - gcn.eu/6et
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[@gcntech]

Do you have any other tips for travelling with hydraulic discs? Let us know in the comments! 👇

[@bxckdoor9113]

Don’t tell people to not touch their rotors to then touch your own rotor 10 times

[@t00thygr1n]

Pull the pads (and insert brake block) and rotors if it's on the back of your car and it might rain on the drive. Otherwise it's a perfect situation to get contamination.

[@commentcrafter4158]

Find some more nick nacks to buy to fluff up your 10000$ bike

[@sjoerdh223]

2:22 *Touches disc brake rotor with bare hands 4:42 "dOn'T tOuCh YouUr RoToRs WiTh YouR HanDs!" :P

[@joaocastro924]

Now I understand how most of the GCN presenters end up with squeaking brakes, honestly... They aren't supposed to be that loud

[@danwarren8010]

It would be nice to do tips on flying with disks / travel cases.

[@garybrown9857]

I have cable pull disc brakes on three of my bikes and love them. I would never want hydraulic brakes though...part of my love for bicycles is their simplicity. I have had enough fluid leaks from cars over the years.

[@tippy35075]

I always had issues with sram brakes, Glad I changed to shimano, zero issues or maintenance needed except for brake pads

[@jacquesn8ir]

Many thanks to you guys for that content. Helped me a lot!

[@firesurfer]

Never put carpet backing next to the bike. The backing is extremely abrasive and will shred paint in a jiffy. If you can get it, carpet with a rubber backing is preferred.

[@ricktoth7418]

Great info, thanks!

[@marknacional6388]

Finally! Just got my new disc brake bike and this vid is just timely 👌

[@FinanceHustle]

I love the tips! So smart to put the wheels in last.

[@kw9000]

1. Don't ever lay the bike down in the back of the SUV with the rotors on the bottom side. Lay it on chainring side. 2. After you lay it down, turn the handlebar 90 degrees to the right so the levers are up. I did not do this on a trip one time, and upon getting the bike out of the SUV the next day, I had no front brake. Fortunately, squeezing the front brake lever several times pumped up the front brake and it worked fine after that.

[@paul1340]

Just got my first bike with hydolic brakes. I found this video very helpful. Thank you.

[@RetroracerDB1]

Nothing about packing in a travel case?

[@3xAudio]

cool. i need to check these out

[@chazpilks]

Is there a 7 minute video on how to travel with rim brakes 😊?

[@joewakelin198]

Comment of the year

[@awonderfulway]

disc brakes have more safety features so it's always going to be a win in my eyes

[@nekobytes9187]

Yeah, don't go anywhere that's always wet, muddy or sandy.

[@dsarcevic]

Yeah, I I think I'll stick to my rim brakes. Biggest hills in the state of Florida are the speed bumps in parking lots.

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

I keep a caliper spacer in my saddle bag in case I get a flat while I'm out and about.

[@sunkhunt9748]

I use the 3rd of my plastic tyre levers. The one I never need.

[@johnnygutierrez920]

My caliper locked after taking out the wheel, thanks to this video! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@janharmonddacion7778]

Open the bleed bolt to release some pressure. Also use a bleed block next time to ensure the correct amount is added to prevent another lockup.

[@peterbaskind9872]

Scratch the paint?! Not on my Ti bikes.

[@awonderfulway]

A little rub makes a lot of headache 😡 thanks a lot for the tips 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ad9898]

Upgrade to rim brakes, all is easy and good with the world and they didn't hurt Bernal in the Giro coming off a very wet Passo Gaiu😊

[@PhiyackYuh]

How many mamils get paid like bernal and has pro skill level of anyone on the ineos? None right 🤫 some of these weekend warrior are delusional thinking they are pro 😂😂😂

[@joewakelin198]

@@PhiyackYuh lol rim brakes are literally cheaper

[@nekobytes9187]

@@PhiyackYuh the fact that they aren''t pros mean they could probably use the extra braking so they don't run wide on the next apex on the way down.

[@Noudapi]

On some levers such as Shimano 105 R7020, you should remove the top hydraulic screw before pushing back the pistons as the pressure can cause a small leak on the levers

[@dh7314]

Angry bitter rim brake fans have entered the chat

[@SlimPickins_07]

Yup......"you don't need disc brakes for a 25 tire!"......Tell us you don't want to move on from the past without saying it lol

[@jcsrst]

Some people are terrified of change 🤣

[@SlimPickins_07]

@@jcsrst why would ANYONE want to stop better. In ALL weather conditions?! Pfft

[@jcsrst]

@@SlimPickins_07 🤣😂🤣

[@kazaroth]

@@SlimPickins_07 Riding a 25mm tyre in 2021 😂

[@rodrodriguez5847]

#gcntech Alex. What brand are the support bikes during LA VUELTA?

[@shanebishop3238]

Any tips with regards to position of bike when travelling? I have found Turning my bike upside down causes the brake fluid to leak out and air fills the brake lines (ultegra di2). Is lying it on its side ok or just as bad as upside down?

[@quintennn]

Can you also use the caliper spacer for direct drive trainer?

[@MJarthur95]

Yes, you can. Advisable as well

[@CHSS]

I use a hot air gun for 20sec at 10cm away from my disc pads out of the caliberrs! when you want to clean them from oil. Gone screaming brakes.

[@4lumi]

4:19 “overzealous spraying” of disc brake cleaner … what do you mean?

[@labhi-dentech6675]

To avoid tail sleep it's better to have a front brake to be stronger than the rear one. It is also known that right-hand people have more strength in the right forehand than in their left one, so why then the front brake is activated with the left hand? looking forward to the answer.

[@durianriders]

My best for traveling with road disc is to leave them at home and pack the lighter, faster and easier to maintain 6.8kg rim brake whip. ;)

[@AntonMuller]

Exactly my thoughts ! 👍🏻

[@PhiyackYuh]

Exactly my thoughts and scream kill me 😂😂😂 and spews bs on disc vs rim bullshayterih 🤫

[@russellfleming6513]

I take my SWorks sl5 rim brake 6.6 kg bike with me and leave my disc brake Scott at home , it’s just a pain and to heavy for the hills .

[@hunterkiller009]

I thought your best traveleing tips is to never buy disc at first place.

[@TheOkinawaBoy]

I leave my bike home and rent a bike at my vacation place 😀

[@esripuppy8872]

Perhaps there is a place for cable discs - ease of maintenance over hydraulic, and arguably better stopping than rim brakes. Hydraulic might be nice in a crit race, or with a world tour service course at hand, but for me, after my hydraulic experiences, i have now intentionally picked cable for my last 2 bikes

[@nekobytes9187]

Hydraulic cable-actuated disc brake calipers are a godsend in this regard. Works great, with the simplicity of cable and the braking power of hydraulics.

[@rubaiyatu]

When packing for air travel, you usually have to remove the handlebar to fit into the box/case. Is there usually enough hydraulic hose in a typical installation (tucked neatly away in the stem and head&top tubes) to extend to the lashdown points for the handlebar in a travel case? Would hate to think that one would have to disconnect the brake hoses (hydraulic fluid leaking EVERYWHERE, needing to refill and bleed the systems upon reassembly) to be able to take your Faithful Steed on holiday.

[@lechprotean]

I flew like that pre-pandemic and yeah no problem - there's usually enough slack in the hoses to allow for the handlebar rotation. My RD still got bent but brakes and rotors were fine...

[@nekobytes9187]

They should have enough cable - in fact this should be one of the first things you do when cabling a new bike (or when a bike is cabled in the factory) - check whether you have enough cable and hose so none of your brakes and shifters bind when the handlebars are fully turned to both sides. If cable length is not enough, somebody messed up during the process.

[@2Relston]

#askGCNtech not strictly bikes but do you know much about the technology involved in the wheel chairs at the Paralympics? Seems like some marginal gains could be made, what have they taken from cycling?

[@jcsrst]

Oh boy, mention disc brakes and the comments go nuts.

[@nekobytes9187]

Gets the Rim Brake Defence Force all fired up. Noticed how the disc people are just suggesting other stuff you can do lol.

[@totothebunny333]

To decontaminate my disc brakes, I remove the pads and sand lightly, holding them face down on a flat surface. Then I wipe everything off, including rotors, with methyl hydrate and a clean cloth. Works perfectly for me and costs virtually nothing.

[@BrentZahradnik]

I tried cleaning my front brake rotor on my gravel ride recently with iso alcohol but still no dice. I'll give them a light sanding next. What grit sandpaper do you typically use?

[@totothebunny333]

@@BrentZahradnik sand the pads, not the rotor. Use 220 grit or so, just to remove any glazing or contamination. Wipe off everything with alcohol afterwards.

[@germainessoh1]

How much weight can this bike hold?

[@hardcoreway]

#savetherimbrakes thank you for video :)

[@michaelyahya4449]

some bike box forces us to pack the bike upside down, will there any air bubbles get into the brake hose with the brake fluid and cause some problem?

[@kidShibuya]

I tip my bike upside down all the time to drain water, ever had an issue with the hydraulic brakes

[@jcsrst]

Never a problem if they are properly bled.

[@wilkolak89]

Hello, I have a question. While back while riding rented bike with hydraulic disc brakes (shimano 105) we stopped, took pictures with bikes over heads turned upside down, and headed to descent. One bike performed normally, but other during braking would occasionally start vibrating strongly, up to a point when bike was unsterable and only think you could do is to clench leavers just to stop. Vibrations would stop and you could continue descent, waiting for this to reoccur. I ride mechanical DB, this happened on last day of riding rented bike, what was it? Bike shop didn't know asked about it. Was it air that entered brakes when we turned bikes?

[@peterharrington8709]

I had two brake pads where the actual pad came away from it's backing plate. One in the front calliper exited somewhere on the trail, the other in the back stayed in until I removed the pads to check them. Maybe you had some sort of similar dislodgement?

[@wilkolak89]

@@peterharrington8709 thanks, but after first time it happend I chcecked calipers and everything was ok, no leakage etc.

[@francoispayen]

Why so much hate for disc brakes in the comments section ? 😆 If you've ever tried them you can't deny the stopping power is far superior. I've had both, never going back to rim brakes.

[@durianriders]

You need hydro disc to control a 25mm road tire? What rim brake calipers and pads are you using sir?

[@francoispayen]

@@durianriders Do I NEED them? No, but I much prefer them. I commute by bike, rain or shine. Heavy bike, with sometimes heavy panniers. 80% busy city streets, 20% gravel trail. Rim brakes become pretty much useless if it rains or if the trail is a bit muddy.

[@Jamsnaxx]

@@durianriders haha there he is. On his crusade against disc-brakes. Love u Harley 🤣

[@jcsrst]

Haters gonna hate.

[@francoispayen]

@MRGRUMPY53 More often than I'd like, which is at least once a year (had one just last week). The one time I had to do one with rim brakes left me rather unimpressed (and also flying over the handlebars). Look, I get it: If you ride a super light bike for leisure, away from traffic and in good weather, rim brakes are more than OK. For my situations where I have to be mindful of cars and distracted pedestrians/kids/squirrels/dogs jumping in my lane at any time, or going down a steep bumpy hill on my gravel bike, I'm much more comfortable using disc brakes.

[@bensaund]

Now I know what that plastic thing was for

[@Riyanable]

#AskGCNTech hi Ollie and si, im curious with the blue shimano bike that used by EF Education Nippo rider at Vuelta a espana stage,would you give us review of it.thank you

[@imposter613]

For the video you took the chance of cutting the piston seals 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@iimmolarious7636]

Wish they still sold rim brake bikes

[@superjimnz]

On some brakes the pistons can pump all the way out, falling out and dumping all the fluid 🤬.

[@antonae0]

It's not like many people choose disk over rim brakes; it's the brands forcing us to buy disk brakes bikes. Try finding a new mid/high grade bike with rim brakes... good luck!

[@seanlacson1310]

young Si looks funny

[@sbsb4995]

There is one very easy and logical solution. Use rims brakes. Don't make life harder.

[@Avioto]

I miss Jeremy 😭

[@abelespinosa3734]

Can I have one of your bikes pls

[@koenvercammen2259]

This kind of videos always make me wonder if cyclists also clean their discs from their car 🤷‍♂️

[@svendeclercq5160]

You can't compair apples with lemons... It's like compair a F1 brake with a regular car brake 🤪

[@svendeclercq5160]

Always remove your brakepads and clean them with clean paper when cleaning your Bike = never squeling brakes again. Costs 2min extra time but your pads last for ages

[@mmiqdad]

mind sharing the details of using paper to clean the brakepads with us? looks like an interesting method to keep them clean

[@svendeclercq5160]

@@mmiqdad of cours, first thing i do befor i clean my bike with water and soap,( every week or two) is to undo my wheels and brakepads. So when you use degreaser and soap the discs and brakepads can't be contaminated with oil or gunk. Afther the clean i do a little bit of degreaser at my brakepads en clean them with a clean dry papertowel. the same with my disks. Then i place the pads and the wheels when everyting is dry. Afther 25k and two years of riding my disk racebike never had squeling disks in dry and clean rainy conditions. your brakepads wear is also at a minimum. Also a good tip when you center your calipers is to center them first without the brakpads. so you center them at line of sight with the disk perfect in the middle. And don't use oil but wax on a disc bike.

[@mmiqdad]

@@svendeclercq5160 thank you so much for the knowledge!

[@urmo345]

spacer is too loose and falls out

[@gilgermesch]

Nothing about not turning the bike upside down?

[@sweatnosweat]

you work for disc brakes, rim brakes work for you.

[@_NoName...]

Amen! 🙇

[@Mylity66]

Maybe for road bikes, but for me rim brakes were a horrid constant faff on my mountain bike. Haven't had to change pads in 5 years (probably will soon, but they are within tolerance still) while on rim brakes I was chewing through pads every couple months. So yeah, for road bikes rim brakes still make sense, for mountain bikes? No. Not at all

[@nekobytes9187]

When it's wet, it's the other way around.

[@Mylity66]

@@nekobytes9187 *squeeeeeal*

[@MaDiViL696]

Right, do a decent in a wet weather with rim brakes and carbon wheels and then come back to me. Trust me, I'd rather hassle a little more with maintenance and stay alive

[@bicciorules]

You've to buy a wheelbag!!!!

[@curvenut]

Is this a park Tool advertisement ?? ;-)

[@MisterPlopPlop]

GCN has a partnership with both Park Tools and Muck Off, therefore it would suprise me that they have this type of content as brand integration

[@timetrialist]

Traveling and Disc = headaches. Get a rim a brake bike 👍🏻

[@nekobytes9187]

Use what you want, and let people enjoy things.

[@timetrialist]

@@nekobytes9187 No I will not let them I'm a full blown tyrant

[@zukzworld]

Still better, keep the disk brake bike for home / car distance ride and fly with the light rim brake bike.

[@seanc6128]

Gah stop touching the rotor with your bare hands aaaaahhhhhhhh.

[@Adrian-my8xk]

Hydraulic disc brakes are the best brakes.

[@MJarthur95]

Unless your hydraulic disc brakes lose pressure when going a steep down hill descend (brake hose started leaking) But still better than having a rim brake due to heat 🤔

[@charlificity]

I respectfully disagree - a solid stick through the spokes of your front wheel get you the best stopping distance :)

[@kidShibuya]

@James Smith Enjoy literally damaging your wheels every single time you come to a stop...

[@jcsrst]

Those that hate on them usually haven't tried them or are afraid of working on them or afraid of change.

[@duckyybabyy5]

Nice looking bike but poor quality control or poor transport.Rear wheel has major issues right out of the box. kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Rear axle is bent! Derailleur is misaligned.Since the rear wheel comes assembled I would have expected better.Assembly instructions poorly written, but that was not unexpected...just annoying.I just had the bike checked at a shop and was told that I should contact the seller about getting a whole rear wheel assembly with cartridge. (The bike shop could not do anything to help me).Not a good experience with this bike, so lesson learned.Added 3 stars for excellent customer serviceUpdate Sept 8 2020Just received a complete replacement wheel for free. Great service and an otherwise fine bike.

[@rosomak8244]

Thank's for the very detailed however still not exhaustive explanation why disc brakes are a technological fanaberia.

[@keithmillar2933]

TOP TIP.......buy a rim brake bike, "O" I forgot, you can't anymore.

[@Horstelin]

Of course you can?

[@nekobytes9187]

Plenty of rim brake bikes out there, still.

[@cibo23]

One of the best investment you can do for your disc brake wheels is to buy quick release adapter instead of carrying Allen key

[@djkhmor4538]

forced upon us by YOU GCN and the industry... y'all forgot the word FORCED ffs

[@252Scooby]

Come on gcn do a video on rim brakes to prove your not completely biased to disc brakes , not everyone’s on them

[@LegSpinna]

What a faff. Life is too short for disc brakes.

[@Mylity66]

Disc brakes have been easier to mantain, less cumbersome and less annoying than rim brakes for me, so much more. I have a mountain bike though, for a mountain bike rim brakes are totally obsolete for good reason, god I remember chewing through pads every couple months, faffing around with the alignment and tightness of the V-brake arms. Screw that. Here I am about 5 years later shredding trails on the same pads and discs, they are still fine

[@dieddf]

Disks are a pain in the back ! Went back to rim brakes and will stay there ! It's the last time I'll lost my time and money with marketing 🐂 💩

[@djkhmor4538]

tip: get a real bike, with real brakes to go travel with

[@justim4545]

or, just dont get disc brakes

[@halfstock]

QUIT. SHOWING. PEOPLE. TOUCHING. ROTORS. YOU. KEEP. DOING. THIS. CUSTOMERS. ARE. DUMB.

[@halfstock]

Okay, I felt like a dick after posting this. Then I re-watched the video. Your presenter keeps touching the rotor every chance he gets! Come on GCN, you know way better than this. Don't let him make any more problems for real mechanics in shops, who have to deal with customers who think its okay to finger-bang your rotors.... thanks to your presenter.

[@hcw199]

I have a tip... Stick with a rim brake bike and don't have any of this BS to deal with... Your welcome.

[@marekkozub8957]

All of that can be solved by buying a rim brakes bike.