GMBN Tech Essentials Ep.2 | Brake Pads

Disc brakes on mountain bikes have to go through a lot, so it can be pretty scary when they stop working. Here we talk you through the different reasons why, and when you might need to replace the brake pads. We also discuss the different and types of brake pads available, which are best for your style of riding, and how to replace them.

Which other essential MTB tech videos would you like us to make? Let us know in the comments down below 👇

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Brought to you by the world’s largest mountain bike channel, the Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN), GMBN Tech goes deeper into the bikes, kit and technology stories that help fuel your rides.

Our mission is to help you discover, dial-in and get the best from the latest cutting edge bikes and technology available.

With news and rumours, first ride exclusives, how-tos, the weekly GMBN Tech Show wrapping up and showcasing the week’s biggest tech stories, and more besides, if it’s off-road tech, it’s in.

Every week, of every month we seek out, showcase, and ride the newest gear and innovations from across the globe in an authoritative, inspiring and entertaining way to help you get the best from your rides. And when we’re not riding, we get geeky in an accessible, easy-to-understand way about forks. And shocks. And more to help you setup and maintain your bikes perfectly.

Engage with us every week on the channel and across social media – we’re here to answer every question you’ve got on mountain biking tech.

Submit your content here:

Brought to you by the world’s largest mountain bike channel, the Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN), GMBN Tech goes deeper into the bikes, kit and technology stories that help fuel your rides.

Our mission is to help you discover, dial-in and get the best from the latest cutting edge bikes and technology available.

With news and rumours, first ride exclusives, how-tos, the weekly GMBN Tech Show wrapping up and showcasing the week’s biggest tech stories, and more besides, if it’s off-road tech, it’s in.

Every week, of every month we seek out, showcase, and ride the newest gear and innovations from across the globe in an authoritative, inspiring and entertaining way to help you get the best from your rides. And when we’re not riding, we get geeky in an accessible, easy-to-understand way about forks. And shocks. And more to help you setup and maintain your bikes perfectly.

Engage with us every week on the channel and across social media – we’re here to answer every question you’ve got on mountain biking tech.

[gmbntech]

Which other essential MTB tech videos would you like us to make? Let us know. 👇

[cliffsangelsphotography]

Doddy looks so amazing with long hair and a tattoo sleeve. (Great vid Jess! You're doing great!)

[davidpowell]

Lol @ "singing the songs of their people", I am in love with this

[EccentricEllis]

Pro tip, don't come to a complete stop when bedding in brakes!
Bedding in is simple, deposit brake pad material evenly onto the rotors as the two rub together and warm up.

If the brake pad cuts through this layer of disc pad material, or the layer is laid down irregularly by an incorrect bed-in procedure (like coming to a complete stop when the pad is soft, creating high spots) the pad jumps as it hits a damaged / irregular area, digs in, then jumps a bit more and digs in once again.
The sequence creates oscillation which continues through the rotor creating microscopic waves around the contact area, essentially becoming like a vinyl which has been hard coded to make noise, this cannot be erased by changing pads and requires the rotor to be put back to neutral (by sanding or grinding) or even replaced in worst cases.
Coming to a complete stop also significantly increases the likelihood of glazing.

[InsufficientSleep]

I noticed a significant improvement in my cornering skills when I lost the brakes on my downhill bike :-) maybe brakeless is the new chainless ?

[KennyMinigun]

I have to disagree about the bed in process: the braking should be smooth and try to avoid blocking the wheel with your brakes (exactly the mistake shown in the video). See Park Tool's video on the topic, they have a great explanation there!

[aljowen]

I was under the understanding that you aren't supposed to lock up when bedding in. Since it can lead to an uneven distribution on the disks. I thought even coming to a complete stop using the brakes during bedding in was frowned upon?

It might have also been a good idea to very briefly mention that contaminated rotors or air in brake lines can also lead to breaking issues. Just to help people who find out that the pads aren't worn so they can find what other things might be the issue for them.

Otherwise, great video. The new host is doing an awesome job :)

[anthonydarling]

I totally thought she said "scented" pads the first time she said "sintered". I was about to be very excited

[rbid]

Well done, simple, straight to the point.
Greetings from the Galilee.

[mrarchitek]

Solid vid, GMBN! Thought I'd add something I've found through my own riding...
Sintered pads...
Whilst the pads themselves are resilient to heat, we've found that on a long, steep descents where you're generating tonnes of heat, such as places like the Alps (Pila, for example), a sintered pad will conduct a lot of that heat back into the caliper. Eventually this boils the brake fluid and results in the scary brake-levers-hitting-the-bar moment.
Quite a unique scenario, agreed, but it consistently happens!

[jackadler]

Great stand in for Doddy. Clear, concise, and a bit nicer on the eyes! 🤩

[nickthecarguy-channel]

Great timing, my brothers bike needs new brake pads!

[ppsmre]

between your videos and parktools videos i dont think ill ever have to go to a bike shop again! Thanks

[yvesguignot]

Thank you for your explanation it's very clear and useful

[shark]

Love to see Jess everywhere, dirt shed show, gmbn tech, embn ! Thanks for this useful vid!

[hugoburton]

2:12. It's not just shape and compound. It's also the backing plate. There are copper and aluminimum backing plates

[SeptemRoptem]

Teach us about suspension forks too please 💎

[SnwBrdFrvr]

Nukeproof 275 scout race is hopefully my next bike.👍Fingers crossed I can find one when I'm ready to pull the trigger.

[Mastr-Tech]

Who else thinks doddy is the daddy of tech

[rupedog]

Great vid jess...loved it, well done super first tech vid!...for newbs info, as others have rightly said don't lock wheels or come to a complete stop when bedding in, but also afterwards ride around without braking to let the brakes cool a bit...