How to bed in new disc brake pads and rotors
Bed in new disc brake pads or rotors before your first ride, following SRAM's published stop sequence, and what to do if the brakes stay noisy.
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- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 10 to 20 minutes
New disc brake pads and rotors don't give full power straight away. Bedding in heats the pads and rotors so a thin, even layer of pad material transfers onto the rotor, which SRAM says gives stronger, more consistent and usually quieter braking (SRAM). This guide follows SRAM's published procedure. If your brake maker gives a different one, follow theirs.
Don't ride a bike with weak or unreliable brakes. Shimano says that if the lever feels sluggish or gives no resistance, stop using the brakes and see a professional (Shimano dealer manual).
E-bikes are usually heavier than regular bikes and speed up quickly, so Bosch advises learning how yours handles and brakes, and checking the brakes regularly (Bosch eBike guide).
Before you start
Bed in after fitting new pads or new rotors, before your first ride on them (SRAM). Shimano also notes a burn-in period where braking force builds gradually, both on a new brake and after replacing pads or a rotor, so be ready for the brakes to get stronger (Shimano dealer manual).
1Check the setup
- Make sure the pads are fitted correctly, the lever feels firm, and the wheel spins without rub. See replacing disc brake pads or adjusting mechanical disc brakes.
- Work the lever a few times to confirm the brake works normally before riding (Shimano dealer manual).
- Clean rotors help. SRAM recommends isopropyl alcohol for cleaning rotors (SRAM troubleshooting).
Photo needed: A rider squeezing the lever with the wheel lifted to check for rub before the bed-in ride. Add one
2Pick a safe place
Bedding in means several hard stops on purpose. SRAM's bed-in article says the exact procedure for your brake is in its manual. If you aren't confident braking hard, have a shop do it.
3Do about 20 moderate stops
- Stay seated on the bike the whole time (SRAM troubleshooting).
- From a moderate speed, brake firmly down to walking speed. Repeat about 20 times (SRAM troubleshooting).
- Never lock up the wheels at any point (SRAM troubleshooting).
Photo needed: A rider seated on an e-bike braking smoothly on a flat, empty path. Add one
4Do about 10 harder stops
From a faster speed, brake very firmly down to walking speed. Repeat about 10 times, still seated and without locking the wheels (SRAM troubleshooting).
5Let the brakes cool
Let the brakes cool before you ride on (SRAM troubleshooting).
6Check and recenter
- The caliper may need recentering after bed-in (SRAM troubleshooting).
- Spin the wheel and listen for rub, then test the lever again before your next ride (Shimano dealer manual).
If the brakes stay noisy
- Water or dirt can cause temporary noise. SRAM says clean the rotors with isopropyl alcohol (SRAM troubleshooting).
- Persistent noise can come from contaminated pads or a poor bed-in that left uneven pad material. SRAM's fix is new pads and rotors, then a careful bed-in (SRAM troubleshooting).
- See cleaning and truing brake rotors and e-bike noises.
Official help
- SRAM points to its brake manuals and its SRAM TECH YouTube channel for the full procedure (SRAM).
- Shimano's notes on the burn-in period are in its dealer manual (Shimano dealer manual).
Videos
When to get a pro
- You aren't comfortable braking hard.
- Brakes still feel weak after bed-in. See when to call a pro.
Sources
- What is the bed in procedure for SRAM brakes, SRAM
- Can I ride immediately after installing new SRAM disc rotors, SRAM
- Disc brake troubleshooting, SRAM
- Hydraulic disc brake dealer's manual DM-MBBR001, Shimano
- eBike guide, Bosch eBike Systems
Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.
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