Brake Issues

Identifying the Problems

The first step will be to identify what kind of braking issues you are experiencing. Hopping back on your bike and focusing solely on your brakes for a few hundred feet is a great way to hone in on the issue.

Poor Braking Power

Most of our bikes come with hydraulic brakes. There is a small adjustment screw underneath each brake lever that can be adjusted with a 2mm Allen wrench. As you turn this screw, the brake lever will either move closer to, or further away from your grip. The further away the brake lever is from your handlebar, the more braking power you will have. We recommend only making small adjustments here, as the screw will come out if you loosen it too much, and if your lever is out too far you will have a difficult time reaching your fingers around it.

If that lever adjustment does not solve your issue, it may be time to change your brake pads, or have your braking system bled. Bleeding the brakes is a process where all the hydraulic fluid is forced out from the calipers through the brake lever, replacing the old fluid with newer cleaner fluid all the while removing any air bubbles in the line; air bubbles are not good to have in your brake system at all. We recommend having a certified mechanic help you with these issues, but if you would like to change your pads yourself, click here to read our guide on changing brake pads.

Loud Squeaking Noises

It is common for new bikes to make noise while braking during the first 40 miles of use. If you have surpassed this break-in period and hear a loud squeaking noise while braking, it is likely that there is fluid between your brake pads and the rotor.

If you have been riding in the rain, or if your bike is wet, wait for the bike to dry off and see if the problem persists.  It is also possible that your brake pads and rotor have collected oil from the road, or from your bike's chain. This can usually be fixed by using a clean rag and rotor cleaner to wipe down the bike's rotor.  You should also check the brake pads, as they can absorb oil over time. If you notice oil on your brake pads, you may be able to remove it with a light sanding, or by replacing the pads altogether.

Constant Scraping Noises

If you hear a constant scraping noise while braking, it is likely that your brake caliper is not properly aligned. Proper caliper adjustment can be tricky, so we recommend having a professional technician help you with this step, but if you would like to do this yourself you will need a 5mm Allen wrench.

Loosen the two adjustment screws, and then adjust the caliper so that both brake pads are aligned with the rotor. There should be a small gap between each pad and the rotor. This will be a very small adjustment. Once the caliper is aligned, hold it securely in place while you tighten the two adjustment screws. This last step can be tricky, as the caliper often moves as the screws tighten into place.

Intermittent Scraping Noise When Braking

If you hear an intermittent scraping noise while braking, it is likely that your brake rotor is either bent, or not securely attached to your wheel. The rotor is secured with six torque bolts. Use a T25 torque wrench to ensure that all of the bolts are in tight but not too tight. Torque bits can snap off really easily; this design is to ensure you don't over tighten anything. Keep this in mind as you secure the rotor onto the wheel. 

If the rotor is lightly bent, you may be able to straighten it out if you have a rotor tool. We recommend that you have a professional technician perform this, as rotors are delicate. If the rotor is bent too much, it will need replacing.

Another common problem that can cause this issue is that your wheel may not be properly seated in the fork's dropouts.  If your wheel has a quick-release, you can easily attempt to reseat the wheel. Open up the quick-release, and ensure that the axel is all the way up in the fork's dropouts. Then close the quick-release, ensuring that it is on tight, and see if the problem persists.

One last thing to check for is spoke tension.  If you notice that the wheel wobbles while it is turning, you may need to have the wheel trued. This problem occurs when some of the wheel's spokes are either too tight or too loose. Truing the wheel requires special tools, so if notice this issue we suggest taking the bike in to a certified mechanic.

Further Troubleshooting

If none of these steps solved your issue, please submit a ticket here and we will be happy to help you out.