Winter Brakes 101

Winter can spell disaster for brakes. Mud, road grit and water accelerate wear, cause corrosion and may leave you stopping Fred Flintstone-style.


Bicycling Staff |

Disc Brakes

Signs of Wear: Most disc brake manufacturers recommend pad replacement when there’s 0.5 to 1mm of pad material left.

Know This: Disc brakes offer the most stopping power and wear the best in adverse conditions, but they can still succumb to the effects of winter, even wearing out in one muddy or wet, sandy ride.

Do This: Although hydraulic brakes are well sealed and rarely become contaminated, change the brake fluid at least once during the winter, because moisture inside the system can cause corrosion and heat-related brake fade. Mechanical discs work well as long as the cables are in good condition (see Cables, below).

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