Bedding in new disc brakes

[Tripster]

Its been asked before, found differing ideas on the web so thought would ask to see if there is an agreed method that works best

 

[Deleted User]

Pull the levers!

Seriously though, a few miles to 'burn off' any contamination that may have got on them during fitting and you'll be right.

 

[Slick]

Don't bring the bike to a complete stop seems to be another popular must do.

 

[mustang1]

There are 4 disk brake bikes I have access to.

The 1st bike was not bed in. It used to squeak on the odd occasion but doesn't any more.
The 2nd bike was bed in. It used to squeak on the odd occasion but doesn't any more.
The 3rd bike was not bed in. It used to squeak on the odd occasion but doesn't any more.
The 4th bike was bed in. It used to squeak on the odd occasion but doesn't any more.
I have not used any special disk cleaner on any bikes, just water.

 

[Tripster]

There are 4 disk brake bikes I have access to.

The 1st bike was not bed in. It used to squeak on the odd occasion but doesn't any more.
The 2nd bike was bed in. It used to squeak on the odd occasion but doesn't any more.
The 3rd bike was not bed in. It used to squeak on the odd occasion but doesn't any more.
The 4th bike was bed in. It used to squeak on the odd occasion but doesn't any more.
I have not used any special disk cleaner on any bikes, just water.

I never bed in the Whyte MTB from new and it never squeaked, nor my sons Frog MTB and the wife just got on hers and rode too without issue so guess that’s my reason for asking. Does it make much difference bedding them in this gather speed and pull leaver to an almost stop, repeat 10 times per brake and all that

 

[T4tomo]

I never bed in the Whyte MTB from new and it never squeaked, nor my sons Frog MTB and the wife just got on hers and rode too without issue so guess that’s my reason for asking. Does it make much difference bedding them in this gather speed and pull leaver to an almost stop, repeat 10 times per brake and all that

Doesn't make much difference at all, as by the time you've been out on a ride and slowed down 10 times, guess what.....

 

[weareHKR]

I always wrap some fine grade emery cloth (220/240 Grade) around a flat-file & give them a light brushing over just to rough them up a tad! - Shoot me now!

 

[cougie uk]

I've only got the one bike with disks and I did something v similar to this -


View: https://youtu.be/iUV2Eo9ERSk

 

[ianrauk]

A couple of quick stops and your good to go. That's what seems to works for me with my road bike.

 

[chris-suffolk]

A couple of quick stops and your good to go. That's what seems to works for me with my road bike.

Agreed. Couple of semi-emergency brake stops, and they seemed to improve vastly. Obviously, do this somewhere safe, not when actually needed.

 

[MichaelW2]

If you live in flatland it can be hard generating any heat on disk brakes.
I take mine to the steepest little hill in the city and get up to about 20mph then brake. Several times.

 

[Tripster]

If you live in flatland it can be hard generating any heat on disk brakes.
I take mine to the steepest little hill in the city and get up to about 20mph then brake. Several times.

Hills unavoidable round here, 20 mins from Lake district

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

IME they stop well enough from new to not be an issue, then do their own thing naturally with use.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

As others say, go for a ride, use your brakes, they’ll improve after a dozen or so stops. But they work from the off.

 

[All uphill]

I am gentle on the brakes on my bikes - I hate losing momentum!

My new bike has TRP Spyre cable discs; these were great from new, but lost their effectiveness after a few hundred miles. My LBS said I had probably glazed the pads through light use. A quick rub with Emery paper and the were back to normal.

Now I make a point of breaking hard a couple of times on a long ride.