A How-To Guide

A good braking system is essential for rider safety. For electric bikes that have not been riding for a long time, if the material of the brake pads is steel, it is easy to rust, resulting in the separation of the wear-resistant material from the substrate and the loss of the braking effect. The brake pads of electric bikes that ride for a long time are more likely to be worn. Therefore, regular maintenance of the disc brake system can maintain its good braking performance, ensure riding safety, and greatly increase the life of the relevant parts.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of keeping your brake pads in top condition, so that your brake pads will last longer.

1. Choose the Right Brake Pads

Different Eahora e-bikes are equipped with different brake pads. If the brake pads are badly worn or damaged, you will have to replace them. So choosing the right brake pads for your bike is very important.

• Brake pad type compatible with Cupid, Romeo, Juliet, Apus, X9, XC300, ACE and AM200:

• Brake pad type compatible with Romeo Pro and Juliet:

2. Check Your Pads Regularly

To keep the disc brake system operating optimally, it is crucial to perform regular maintenance. This includes cleaning the rotors and brake pads to prevent build-up of dirt and grime that can reduce braking efficiency. Additionally, checking the brake pad wear and replacing them when necessary will ensure consistent braking power.

3. Cleaning the Pads

• Keep your hands clean. Sometimes the oil on your hands can re-contaminate the pads. If possible, you can wear gloves.

• To clean the brake pads, use isopropyl alcohol or a mild degreaser. For example, commonly used precision instrument cleaning agent or practical special dish brake cleaner. You can also wash it several times with dish soap + toothbrush. When you're done, deep cleaning begins.

• Use fine sandpaper and slowly sand to further clean the brake pads. Just sand off a thin layer. After completing this step, repeat the previous step and clean again to remove the surface particles.

• Finally, wipe the brake pads dry and air dry for a while to let the water completely evaporate. Note Before starting assembly, remember to clean your rotors and calipers, either by soaking them in alcohol with a cotton cloth or by cleaning them with a special cleaner.

After the assembly is complete, it is recommended to use your brakes several times while dry. There may still be some noise at first, but the braking force will be fully restored, and the noise will gradually disappear over time.

4. Scuff or Sand the Pads

If there is a phenomenon of rubbing rotor because the brake pads are thick, you can use sandpaper or file to polish in advance (it can generally be solved by adjusting the brake pad fine-tuning nut).

5. Adjust the Brake Pads

In the case that the rotor is not deformed and the brake pads rub against the rotor, in addition to scuff or sand the pads, you can also slightly adjust the position of the brake pads and calipers.

Mechanical brake: Turn the caliper's trimmer knob counterclockwise to adjust the position of the piece.

If it cannot be solved, restore the position of the fine-tuning knob, then loosen the fixing screw of the caliper, and then adjust the brake pad forcefully. Then adjust the position of the caliper and rotate the wheel to test, until the rotor does not rub, tighten the fixing screws.

Hydraulic brake: Slightly loosen the holding screw of the caliper so that the caliper can be moved from side to side by hand. Then adjust the position of the caliper until it does not rub the rotor and tighten the fixing screws.

6. Lubrication

Lubrication should be avoided on rotor and brake pad surfaces as it can impair braking performance. Do not allow any lubricant to touch these areas. The oil can attract contaminants and could be dangerous when braking downhill, in traffic, or any other riding conditions. It could lead to inconsistent braking or serious injury.

7. Choose a Good Route and Time to Ride

Not riding in bad weather will greatly increase the life of your brake system, tires and bearings. Of course, sometimes this is unavoidable. But if you can choose not to ride on wet, muddy, or rubble-filled trails, bike accessories will last longer.

If it can't be avoided or if you were planning to ride, consider whether there will be water on the route. For example, after a heavy rain, trails and gravel roads will be wetter than wide highways, and adjusting your route slightly will greatly extend the service life of spare parts.

8. Brake Pads Replacement

Usually the thickness of the brake pads is less than 1mm when it can be replaced. In addition, don't forget that the rotor will eventually wear out, and timely inspection of the relevant parts can find the problem early.

9. Regular Testing

After cleaning, maintaining or replacing the brake pads, take your bike for a short test ride in a safe area. Ensure that the brakes engage smoothly and provide sufficient stopping power.

10. Professional Help

If you are unsure about any aspect of maintaining or cleaning brake pads, it is recommended that you seek help from a professional bike mechanic. They can inspect, adjust, and fine-tune your brakes for optimal performance.