LCP

How to clean disc brakes on a bicycle

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Suvi Loponen's picture

Suvi Loponen

Tech writer

Suvi joined off.road.cc in 2022 as a tech writer and brought in her enthusiasm for gravel and long-distance riding. She's a lover of underbiking and exploring on the bike both on and off-road, especially if it means finding more great cafes and some good viewpoints. 

3 comments

2 years 4 months ago

Refreshing to read an article that stays clear of pushing  expensive oversold proprietary products in fluorescent plastic trigger-head bottles! Soap and water, or meths!

2 years 11 months ago

organic pads can sometimes be baked to neutralise the effect of a comtaminant. maybe dont use the kitchen oven though.

for sintered pads .. remove from caliper, spray with window cleaner, wait a few seconds and rinse. clears most comtaminants and surface glaze effortlessly.

for rotors .. remove from wheel and carefully wipe down / wash with neat household bleach or oven cleaner. rinse thoroughly and dry completely. reinstall and proceed with brake-in process.

3 years 10 months ago

"If using brake cleaners make sure you use bicycle specific ones as car brake cleaners sometimes include oil to stop cast iron discs from rusting."

I call bullshit on that.