Breaking in disc brakes

Why breaking in is important and how to do it correctly

Disc brakes are a particularly reliable and powerful safety system on your bike. In order to ensure that they develop their full braking power and do not make any unpleasant noises, new brake pads and brake discs must be bedded in together. This process is called “breaking in”. During the break-in process, the surfaces of the pad and disc adapt optimally to each other, improving braking performance and minimising braking noise.

Why is breaking in necessary?

New brake pads have a rougher surface, and the brake disc is still smooth. It is only by breaking them in that an even contact surface develops. Without this adaptation, reduced braking performance, squeaking, or uneven wear may occur.

How to properly break in your disc brakes

Start at a moderate speed. Ride on an open stretch of road or a quiet path where you can reach speeds of between 20 and 30 km/h. Avoid slopes or busy roads. Now brake gently. Reduce your speed to about 5 km/h without bringing the wheels to a complete stop. This generates heat in the brake system, which is necessary for the pads and discs to adapt optimally to each other. Repeat this process.
Perform this braking procedure 20 to 30 times in succession. The more often you do this, the better the brake pads will adapt to the disc and the quieter and more effective the brakes will become.

The more carefully you follow the steps described, the better the braking performance will be and the longer your brakes will last.

Important:

Avoid heavy braking or abrupt stops during the break-in period, as this can cause uneven wear on the brake pads. 
After each braking maneuver, you should allow your braking system a short break to cool down. This allows everything to settle evenly and prevents damage from overheating.

After breaking in

After the first few kilometers, you should make sure that the brakes are working evenly and quietly. A slight grinding noise may occur initially, but this should disappear over time.

If the braking force remains unusually weak or if noise persists, it is worth performing a second short break-in cycle. This is often enough to activate the full potential of the brake.