How to Bed-In Your New Disc Brakes

Congratulations on your new disc brake bike! Before your first ride, please be sure to bed-in your new brakes. This process must be repeated whenever you replace your brake pads and/or brake rotors. It will transfer material from the brake pads onto the rotors to ensure that you have proper stopping power. Bedding in your disc brakes is simple and necessary to prepare your bike for years of riding!

Watch this video tutorial to learn how easy it is to bed-in your new disc brakes. (Scroll down for step-by-step written instructions.)

Steps to Bed-In Your Disc Brakes

1. Prepare Your Bike

Find an open, safe space free of obstacles to complete the bed-in process.

2. Start Pedaling Your Bike

Get it up to a good speed.

3. Engage Rear Brake

Squeeze the rear/right brake lever evenly until you’re at walking speed. You may notice poor stopping power at the beginning of this process, which is perfectly normal. There may also be excess noise created during the process, which is also normal. Use care not to come to a complete stop or to lock up the brake and skid. Doing this can deposit an uneven amount of material on the rotors.

4. Repeat Bedding Process

Repeat the process between 10 and 50 times. You will know that you’re done when you’re able to stop smoothly and quickly. You should be able to skid if you were to try, but do not skid during the process!

Take care not to fully lock up the brakes. Doing so can transfer an uneven amount of material to the rotor, which can lead to inconsistent braking and excessive noise.

5. Front Brake Bedding

When the rear brake is properly bedded in and you are able to stop smoothly and quickly, repeat the process for the front brake.

6. Ready to Ride

Once both brakes feel steady and safe, get out there and enjoy the ride!

Need Help with Your Disc Brakes?

Still have questions? Reach out to our customer service team or swing into your local shop for assistance!

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