Brake pads are one of the most important wear components on your bike. Knowing when and how to replace bicycle disc brake pads helps maintain consistent braking performance, protects your brake discs and, most importantly, keeps your bike safe to ride.
If there is little or no friction material left on the brake pads, they should be replaced before riding again. Continuing to ride worn brake pads can damage other brake components and may lead to brake failure.
In this step-by-step guide, we explain how to inspect, remove and replace bicycle disc brake pads, how to clean the brake caliper and disc, and why properly bedding in your new pads is an essential final step.
Watch on YouTube: How to change your brake pads
What Tools Do You Need to Change Bicycle Brake Pads?
The exact tools depend on your bike and brake system, but you may need:
- 6 mm Allen key for the thru axle, or the tool specified by your bicycle manufacturer
- 2.5 mm Allen key for some SRAM and Shimano brake pad retaining pins
- Brake pad spreader
- Old toothbrush, bottle brush or another small non-metal brush
- Brake cleaner or isopropyl alcohol
- Pliers, screwdriver or another tool for the retaining pin, depending on the brake system
Brake caliper and retaining-pin designs vary between manufacturers, so always check the brake manufacturer's instructions if you are unsure.
Important: Never use a metal wire brush on the brake caliper or braking surfaces.
Step 1: Check Whether Your Brake Pads Need Replacing
Before removing anything, take a close look into the brake caliper and check how much friction material remains on the pads.
In brake systems that use a pad spring, the remaining friction material should be thicker than the spring.
Replace the brake pads if:
- the friction material is approximately the same thickness as the pad spring;
- the backing plate is getting very close to the brake disc;
- you can see exposed metal;
- there is very little friction material left on the backing plate.
Some brake pads, including certain Magura designs, do not use a conventional spring. In this case, compare the remaining friction material with the backing plate.
Some brake systems, such as SRAM Maven, can also be difficult to inspect while installed. The pads may need to be removed for a proper inspection.
If you can see bare metal, stop riding
If the friction material is completely worn away and raw metal is visible, do not continue riding the bike.
Metal-to-metal contact between the pad backing plate and brake disc can damage the disc and seriously reduce braking performance.
If you are unsure whether your pads still have sufficient material, ask a trained bicycle mechanic.
Step 2: Remove the Wheel
If the brake pads need to be removed, start by removing the wheel.
For the rear wheel:
- Shift the chain onto the smallest cassette cog.
- Support the wheel securely.
- Undo the rear axle.
- Pull the axle out of the hub.
- Carefully remove the wheel from the bike.
If you are not familiar with removing the wheel on your bike, refer to the bicycle manufacturer's instructions or have the work performed by a trained mechanic.
Step 3: Push the Brake Caliper Pistons Back
As brake pads wear, the brake caliper pistons gradually extend farther out of the caliper.
New brake pads are thicker than worn pads, so the pistons need to be returned to their original position before the new pads are installed.
With the wheel removed, insert a brake pad spreader between the old pads.
Apply gentle pressure while moving the spreader from side to side. This gradually pushes the pistons back into the caliper.
Important: Never force the pistons
If the pistons or pads offer significant resistance, stop.
If the brake system was previously bled while worn pads were installed, there may be too much brake fluid in the system. Applying excessive pressure when pushing the pistons back can damage the membrane in the master cylinder and may cause the brake lever to leak.
In this situation, some brake fluid may need to be removed or the system may need to be bled.
Always follow the brake manufacturer's bleeding instructions or have the brake system serviced by trained personnel.
Important: Do not perform brake-fluid-related work with the new brake pads installed. Brake fluid can contaminate the friction material and permanently affect braking performance.
Step 4: Remove the Old Brake Pads
Before the brake pads can be removed, the retaining or safety pin must be released.
Depending on the brake system, this may require:
- an Allen key;
- a flat-head screwdriver;
- pliers.
Some systems also use a safety ring or spring that must be removed first.
For certain SRAM and Shimano systems, a 2.5 mm Allen key is used.
Remove the safety device and then release the retaining pin according to the brake manufacturer's instructions.
Once the pin has been removed, grasp the brake pads by their tabs and pull them out of the caliper.
If they do not slide out easily, a flat-head screwdriver can be used carefully between the pad backing plate and the caliper body to help lift them out.
Step 5: Clean the Brake Caliper
Replacing brake pads is also a good opportunity to clean the inside of the brake caliper.
Brake dust and other debris can accumulate around the pistons over time.
Use an old toothbrush, bottle brush or another suitable non-metal brush to clean carefully around the pistons and inside the caliper.
Remove as much accumulated brake dust and debris as possible before installing the new pads.
Step 6: Inspect and Clean the Brake Disc
Before fitting new brake pads, check the condition of your brake disc.
A damaged, excessively worn or contaminated brake disc can affect the performance of even brand-new brake pads.
Our complete guide explains how to check your rotor for:
- excessive wear;
- minimum disc thickness;
- grooves;
- warping;
- heat damage.
Read our How to Check if Your Brake Disc Needs to Be Replaced guide here. Brake Disc Inspection Guide
If the disc is still suitable for use, clean it thoroughly before installing the new pads.
Brake cleaner and a clean, lint-free cloth can be used to clean the braking surface.
Safety warning: Brake disc edges can be extremely sharp. Handle the rotor carefully.
Step 7: Install the New Brake Pads
Once the caliper is clean, the pistons have been pushed back and the brake disc has been checked, the new brake pads can be installed.
Insert the new pads into the brake caliper and reinstall the retaining pin and safety device according to the brake manufacturer's specifications.
Reinstall the wheel and axle using the bicycle manufacturer's recommended procedure.
Before riding, check that everything is installed correctly and that the wheel rotates properly.
Looking for replacement pads for your brake system?
Sinter offers bicycle brake pads for major brake systems including SRAM, Shimano, Magura, TRP, Tektro, Hope, Formula and others. Find the Right Sinter Brake Pads for Your Bike
Step 8: Bed In Your New Brake Pads
Installing the pads is not the final step.
Before normal riding, new brake pads must be properly bedded in.
Bedding-in creates the correct interaction between the brake pad friction material and brake disc surface and helps establish consistent braking performance.
The easiest and most repeatable way to do this is with a dedicated bedding machine.
The Sinter Smart Bedding Machine guides the user through a controlled bedding procedure and allows new brake pads to be prepared consistently before the bike leaves the workshop.
Learn more about the Sinter Smart Bedding Machine
If you do not have access to a bedding machine or a bike shop equipped with one, follow the bedding-in instructions provided by the brake pad manufacturer.
New Pads. Clean System. Proper Bedding.
Changing bicycle brake pads is relatively straightforward, but every part of the process matters.
Inspect the pads before they wear down completely. Clean the caliper. Check the brake disc. Install the new pads correctly. And always finish with a proper bedding-in procedure.
Together, these steps help give your braking system the consistent performance it was designed to deliver.
Need new brake pads?
Find the right Sinter brake pads for your bike →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when my bicycle brake pads need replacing?
Check the amount of friction material remaining on the backing plate. On brake pads with a spring, the friction material should remain thicker than the spring. If the backing plate is close to the disc or exposed metal is visible, the pads should be replaced.
Can I change bicycle disc brake pads myself?
Yes, if you are familiar with basic bicycle maintenance and follow the brake and bicycle manufacturer's instructions. If you are unsure about any part of the procedure, especially hydraulic brake servicing, have the work performed by a trained bicycle mechanic.
Do I need to push the pistons back before installing new brake pads?
Usually, yes. As brake pads wear, the pistons move farther out of the caliper. Because new pads are thicker, the pistons normally need to be pushed carefully back into the caliper before installation.
Should I clean the brake disc when changing brake pads?
Yes. The brake disc should be inspected and cleaned before new pads are installed. Dirt, contamination, grooves or excessive rotor wear can negatively affect braking performance.
Do new bike brake pads need to be bedded in?
Yes. New brake pads should be properly bedded in before normal use. The bedding process establishes the correct interaction between the brake pad and disc and helps create consistent braking performance.