Brake School

Brake School

Everything we know about disc brake maintenance, in one place. Pad replacement, bleeding, alignment, troubleshooting, brand-specific guides. Written by mechanics who actually wrench on bikes, not journalists.

Use this page to find what you need. There are three ways in: by the problem you’re trying to solve, by your skill level, or by your brake brand.

If you’re not sure where to start, the diagnostic guide is a good first stop. Most people who think they need a bleed actually need something simpler.

I want to fix…

Brakes are rubbing

The most common complaint. Most of the time it’s a caliper alignment issue, but a bent rotor or sticky pistons can do the same thing.

Brakes are weak or fading

Power loss is rarely a fluid problem. Usually it’s worn pads, contaminated pads, or heat.

Lever pulls to the bar

Could be worn pads, could be air in the system. The diagnostic article walks through which is which.

Brakes are squealing

Almost always contamination or alignment, not a bleed.

Pads got squeezed together with the wheel out

You’re not the first. Five minute fix.

Something else

Tell us what brake you’re running and what you’re seeing. We’ll point you the right way: contact us.

I want to learn (by skill level)

New rider essentials

Start here if you’re new to disc brakes. These four cover 90% of the maintenance most riders ever need to do.

  1. How to Tell When Your Brake Pads Are Worn
  2. How to Replace Your Disc Brake Pads
  3. How to Bed In New Brake Pads
  4. How to Fix a Rubbing Hydraulic Disc Brake

Intermediate

Once the basics are dialed, these are next.

Advanced (brake bleeding)

Brake bleeds aren’t difficult once you’ve done one, but they’re brand-specific and the fluid is unforgiving. Start with the diagnostic to confirm you actually need one.

I have a… (by brake brand)

Shimano

XT, XTR, SLX, Deore, MT200, Saint, drop-bar hydraulics. Most common brake on the trail.

SRAM (and Avid)

Guide, Code, Level, Maven, G2, plus the older Avid Elixir family.

Magura

MT2, MT4, MT5, MT7, MT8, MT Trail, Louise, Marta.

Formula

R1, R0, RX, T1, Mega, One. DOT and mineral oil variants both exist, check before bleeding.

Hayes

Dominion A4 and A2.

Hope

Tech 3, Tech 4, X2, V4.

Lewis

LH4, LHP+ U4, LHP+ U4T, AE. Distributed by Loam Goat in Canada.

Compatibility & buying guides

Not sure which pads fit your brake?

Compounds and materials

Specialty topics

Tools we sell that come up often

  • Loam Goat 5 In 1 Disc Brake Tool: rotor truing, rotor wear gauges (Shimano/SRAM/Magura/Hope), Shimano pad wear gauge, piston press, center-lock lockring wrench. One tool for most of what’s on this page.
  • Find Your Pads: 30-second tool that picks the right pads for your brake.

Need help?

If you’ve worked through this and you’re still stuck, tell us what brake you’re running and what you’re seeing. We’ve seen most failures before and a quick conversation usually saves an hour of trial-and-error. Contact us.