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How to Clean MTB/eBike Disc Brakes – TUTORIAL

Here's how to clean the brake discs of our MTB: but this tutorial applies to any disc brake on the market (Gravel, Road etc).

Written by

David Finetto

December 13 2023

Trivial operation? Not always given the many brakes that whistle in the yards or that don't brake to the best of their ability. Have you contaminated the disk or just want to clean it? Here are some tips.

USE SPECIFIC PRODUCTS

The best result is achieved with specific products: ok, they often cost a lot, but they lead to the best result. There are various specific degreasers for disc brakes on the market: almost every brand that deals with cleaning/maintenance has one in their catalogue.

HOW TO CLEAN A MTB DISC BRAKE

Simply spray the product on a clean cloth (or absorbent paper) and carefully pass it over the entire surface of the record. In other cases, the product must be sprayed directly onto the disc and left to act for a few moments before cleaning with a cloth. Based on the formulation of the product, carefully read the few simple instructions provided on the package.

The important thing is not to contaminate the disk: it means that you need to use clean cloth or paper. If you have previously used this cloth with a chain or even just to polish the frame, the risk of triggering contamination on the disc is real.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION

A valid solution is to use isopropyl alcohol or, at worst, normal alcohol. Always soaking a cloth (or absorbent paper). If used with normal alcohol, do a quick rinse with water.

MISTAKES NOT TO BE MADE

At the car wash, avoid rinsing with polish or final wax, because they contain an oily component which leaves a film on the disc and would then also contaminate the pads. Wash with wax only if you want to go back in time and experience the thrill of braking with v-brake again.

AFTER CLEANING THE DISC, DOES THE BIKE STILL BRAKING LITTLE?

Most likely you cleaned the disc too late, which also contaminated the pads. And if the tablets are contaminated, there is little that can be done. The pads, in fact, absorb dirt (like sponges) and need to be replaced in most cases (like trying to recover contaminated tablets),

FURTHER LINKS

Which brake pads to choose? Organic-Metallic-Ceramics?

Here you can find other articles dedicated to maintenance -> Heading 365myarrangement

In this article:365my arranged, Brakes, Machine maintenance, Tutorial

Written by David Finetto

[email protected] I am a fan of everything that has 2 wheels: at a young age I practiced road and track cycling (Italian Allievi champion). At the age of 18 I passed into the cross country competing at national/international level as an Under23. Past Elite, I made the choice to take things more lightly from a training point of view, and my love for gravity disciplines was born, training me as an FCI MTB instructor and guide. Now I have made passion my profession by managing 2 MTB centers on the island of Elba (Bike Center Elba and Elba MTB), creating the FANTAmtb and telling in an ironic but professional way everything that revolves around MTB thanks to 365mountainbike and 365TV (YouTube'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori').