Adjusting bicycle brakes — a guide for rim and disc brakes
In short: Adjusting brakes takes 10–20 minutes: tension the cable, centre the pads, check the bite point. Rim and disc brakes work differently — instructions for both below. For rubbing, a spongy bite point or hydraulics, better let the workshop handle it (from ~€25).
Brakes are the single most safety-critical component on any bike. A brake that rubs, squeals or bites weakly needs to be sorted out — not once it's already too late. This guide shows how to adjust rim and mechanical disc brakes yourself, what's different about hydraulic brakes, and when it's better to bring the bike into our workshop in Berlin-Kreuzberg.
Brake no longer biting properly?
Don't keep riding — safety first. Drop by: Friesenstraße 24, Berlin-Kreuzberg. Mo–Sa 9–21 Uhr. Mechanical brake adjustment from €25, hydraulic from €35.
Which brake does your bike have?
Before you adjust anything, identify the brake system — the approach differs significantly:
Rim brake (V-brake, cantilever, road caliper)
Brake pads press sideways against the rim. Adjustable via cable tension and pad position. Well suited to DIY.
Mechanical disc brake
The cable pulls the caliper, one or both pads move. Pad position and cable tension adjustable — no bleeding required.
Hydraulic disc brake
Brake fluid (mineral oil or DOT) transfers hand force. Pad wear is compensated automatically. Bleeding and pad changes belong in the workshop.
Adjusting a rim brake
Align the brake pads
Pull the brake lever halfway so the pad rests lightly on the rim. The pad must sit completely on the braking surface (not on the tyre, not below the flange). The leading edge may sit 1 mm closer than the trailing edge (so-called toe-in, prevents squeal). Tighten the bolt.
Set the cable tension
The lever should firm up clearly after 1/3 to 1/2 of its travel. A cable that's too loose lets the lever pull all the way to the bar (dangerous). Fine-tune with the barrel adjuster on the lever or brake body. For heavily stretched cables, re-set the cable at the pinch bolt.
Fix rubbing
If the brake rubs: centre the brake body gently on the pivot bolt — both pads should sit the same distance from the rim (about 1.5 mm). On V-brakes, balance using the centring screws on the arms.
Adjusting a mechanical disc brake
Centre the caliper
Loosen the caliper bolts. Pull and hold the brake lever firmly — the caliper centres itself on the rotor. Tighten the bolts crosswise (5–6 Nm). If it still rubs afterwards, nudge left/right until the rotor spins cleanly.
Adjust the pads (mechanical only)
Mechanical disc brakes have adjuster screws on both sides. Use an Allen key to move the fixed pad closer to the rotor (gap ~0.5 mm), then set the cable-side pad via cable tension. The lever bite point should sit at 1/3 travel.
Straighten a warped rotor
If the rotor rubs only in one spot it's slightly warped. Bend it back gently with a rotor truing tool (or an adjustable spanner). Caution: never bend without a tool — the rotor will be permanently damaged. When in doubt: bring it to the workshop.
Hydraulic disc brake — please bring it to the workshop
Hydraulic brakes are low-maintenance in daily use: pad wear is compensated automatically. But when the bite point becomes spongy or the lever pulls to the bar, there's usually air in the system — and it needs bleeding. This is system-dependent (Shimano uses mineral oil, SRAM and Magura use DOT or Royal Blood respectively) and requires the matching bleed kit. We do it in the workshop from €35 per brake and guarantee a crisp bite point — see Hydraulic brakes.
In-depth background is in our guide Bleeding hydraulic brakes.
Getting rid of squeal
- Clean pads and rotor/rim with brake cleaner — no WD-40, no multipurpose oil anywhere near it!
- Rough up glazed pads with fine sandpaper or re-bed them (10 hard stops from 25 km/h)
- On rim brakes: check toe-in (leading edge 1 mm closer to the rim)
- For persistent squeal: replace pads or change pad type (organic ↔ semi-metallic)
Safety check before every longer ride
- Lever doesn't pull all the way to the bar
- Bite point clearly felt after 1/3 to 1/2 lever travel
- Brake pads still have at least 1 mm of friction material
- Rotor spins cleanly, no rubbing sounds
- Brake cable or hose with no visible damage
What does brake adjustment cost at our shop?
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Brake adjustment (per brake) | from €10 |
| Hydraulic brake bleed (per brake) | from €35 |
| Brake pad replacement (per pair, material included) | from €15 |
| Rotor replacement (incl. new rotor) | from €40 |
| Rotor replacement (customer brings rotor) | from €25 |
| Full brake service | from €60 |
More details on the workshop page Brake service.
Frequently asked questions
What does brake adjustment cost in Berlin?
Brake adjustment from €10 per brake. Hydraulic brake bleed from €35 per brake. Pad replacement from €15 per pair (material included). Rotor replacement incl. new rotor from €40 (installation only when you bring your own rotor from €25). Fixed price up front.
Why are my brakes squealing?
Most common causes: glazed pads (overheated), oil or grease on the rotor/rim, wrong toe-in on rim brakes, or simply worn pads. Cleaning with brake cleaner and re-bedding often helps. If not: replace the pads.
Can I bleed hydraulic disc brakes myself?
Theoretically yes, but not recommended in practice: every system (Shimano, Magura, SRAM, Tektro) needs its own oil, its own bleed kit and experience. With air in the system the brake can fail completely. Let a workshop do it — from €35 and safe.
How often should brake pads be changed?
Depending on mileage, every 1,500–5,000 km. City traffic (lots of braking) tends to be sooner. Visual check: pads with less than 1 mm of friction material = replace. Disc brakes often squeal as a warning when the backing plate touches the rotor — replace immediately or the rotor is ruined.
The brake lever pulls all the way to the bar — what to do?
Rim/mechanical disc brakes: increase cable tension or re-adjust the pads. Hydraulic brakes: air in the system — needs bleeding. Both are safety-critical, don't keep riding without a fix.
Braking safely — we'll set it up
Drop by — Friesenstraße 24, Berlin-Kreuzberg. Mechanical from €25, hydraulic from €35. Mo–Sa 9–21 Uhr. Over 600 Google reviews, 5.0★.
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