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 will transfer material from the brake pads onto the brake rotors to ensure that you have proper stopping power! This process is simple, easy, 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)

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to bed-in your disc brakes:

1. Start pedaling your bike and get it up to a good speed.

2. Apply your rear brake and squeeze evenly until you are at a walking speed.

• You may notice very poor stopping power at the beginning of this process, which is perfectly normal.
• There may also be excess noise created during this 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.

3. Repeat this process between 10 and 50 times.

• You will know that you are done when you are able to stop smoothly and quickly.
• You should be able to skid if you were to try, but do not skid during the process!

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

Your brakes are ready to go!

This process must be repeated whenever you replace your brake pads and/or brake rotors. Still have questions? Reach out to our customer service team or swing into your local shop for assistance. Now, get out there and enjoy your new Disc Brake Bike!