Cleaning Brakes

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Cleaning Brakes

Postby Rhino » 19 Jan 2010 13:54

Started using my road bike in winter and my brakes have started to grate. I think i've probably got grit in the pads. What's the best way to clean the pads?
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Re: Cleaning Brakes

Postby Seasider71 » 19 Jan 2010 15:58

I'm no expert but I would just take them out and wash them.
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Re: Cleaning Brakes

Postby Bendy Ben » 25 Jan 2010 23:13

Wheels off

spray with cleaner - I use fenwicks.

Use anything to clean in the grooves of the block.

Also clean the braking surface of wheels.

Done.
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Re: Cleaning Brakes

Postby ris » 26 Jan 2010 00:45

I do pretty much what Ben says, I take the blocks off and give them a good scrub with some warm slightly soapy water. Check there is nothing in the brake grooves. Then rinse the braking surface of the rims, again with warm soapy water.
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Re: Cleaning Brakes

Postby nivagh » 29 Jan 2010 17:16

Keep your brakes clean! If your spring rusts, you will have a bad day. Five minutes of effort after a wet ride is time very well spent. :geek:
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Re: Cleaning Brakes

Postby ris » 31 Jan 2010 21:52

i find salt and grit make my rear caliper very sticky, so i have to strip it down a couple of times a winter to get it working properly.

first couple of times it's frustrating and nerve wracking but it soon becomes second nature.
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Re: Cleaning Brakes

Postby Bendy Ben » 04 Feb 2010 23:34

How did you get on ?
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Re: Cleaning Brakes

Postby nivagh » 18 Mar 2010 18:55

A toothbrush is a pretty good cleaning implement.

Preferably not the one the WAT officer is currently using. That would be a costly, costly error.
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