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Clean

Clean disc rotors and pads

Degrease the rotors with isopropyl alcohol, remove and lightly sand contaminated pads, then bed them in. For brakes that squeal or lose bite.

Difficulty
Intermediate
Time
30 minutes

This guide is still being written: only the main steps are described for now.

Safety

  • Pads soaked with oil or brake fluid cannot be saved: replace them. After any cleaning, bed the pads in again before riding fast.

Tools you need

  • Allen keys

    Otherwise: Multi-tool

  • Pliers

    Otherwise: Adjustable wrench

  • Isopropyl alcohol

  • Clean rags

Step 1Degrease the rotors

Dampen Clean rags with Isopropyl alcohol and wipe both faces of the rotor while turning the wheel, until the rag comes away clean. Do not touch the braking surface with your fingers again, and never use chain degreaser or polish.

If the brake still squeals, remove the pads with the Allen keys (or else Multi-tool), sand their surface on fine sandpaper laid flat, clean them with alcohol, refit them and bed them in.

See it on my bike

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