Troubleshooting › Brakes

Brakes feel weak: causes and fixes

Weak brakes are a safety problem. Fix them before the next ride.

Check it on your own bike

1. Worn pads · Most likely

   Look at the pads: under about 1 mm of material (disc) or past the wear grooves (rim), replace them.

   Fix: Replace disc brake pads · Replace hydraulic disc pads · Replace rim brake pads

2. Contaminated pads · Most likely

   Shiny, glazed or oily pads grab poorly. Replace them and clean the rotor with alcohol.

   Fix: Fix squealing disc brakes

3. Pads too far from the rotor (cable brakes) · Most likely

   If the lever travels a long way first, dial the pads in at the caliper and barrel adjuster.

   Fix: Center and adjust mechanical disc brake · Adjust V-brakes · Center and adjust a road caliper

4. Sticky or stretched cable · Sometimes

   Release the lever slowly. If it returns lazily, the cable or housing needs replacing.

   Fix: Replace brake cable and housing

5. Air in a hydraulic brake · Sometimes

   A lever that feels spongy, or firms up after a few pumps, has air. Bleed it.

   Fix: Fix a spongy or pumping hydraulic brake · Bleed Shimano-style hydraulic brakes

6. Not bedded in · Sometimes

   New pads or rotors need bedding-in before they grip properly.

   Fix: Bed in brakes (new pads or rotor)

7. Coaster brake arm loose · Sometimes

   Coaster brakes: the arm must be strapped to the chainstay or the brake cannot hold.

   Fix: Check coaster brake arm