The brakes on your bike are one of the most critical parts, but sometimes they squeak. You’ve probably heard of squeaky brakes at one point or another if you’re a cyclist. What makes bike brakes squeak? Here’s why bike brakes squeak and what you can do to fix them.
Squeaky brakes are usually caused by worn brake pads. Your bike’s brake pads will wear down and lose their effectiveness over time. As a result, the brake pads can start squeaking when they come into contact with the brake rotor. Replace worn brake pads to fix this problem.
Squeaking brakes can also be caused by dirty or contaminated brake pads. As dirt and grime build up on the pads, they become less effective and squeak. You’ll need to clean your brake pads and rotors to fix this problem. Remove the pads from the bike and clean them with rubbing alcohol or a degreaser.
Lack of lubrication can also cause squeaky brakes. The metal parts of the brake system can rub against each other without lubrication, causing a squeaking sound. You’ll need to lubricate the brake system with a silicone-based lubricant to fix this.
Squeaky brakes can also be caused by misaligned brake pads. Squeaking can happen if the pads aren’t aligned properly with the rotor. The brake pads need to be adjusted so they’re aligned properly with the rotors to fix this.
Squeaky brakes can also be caused by brake pads that aren’t properly seated. Cheaper brake pads are usually made of lower-quality materials and squeak after a while. You’ll need to buy better brake pads to fix this.
There are many reasons why bike brakes start squeaking. The most common are worn brake pads, dirty or contaminated brake pads, lack of lubrication, misalignment, and poor quality brake pads. Replace the worn brake pads, clean the brake pads and rotor, lubricate the brake system, adjust the brake pads, and buy high-quality brake pads to fix the problem. Keep your brake pads clean and lubricated to avoid squeaking and replace them when they’re worn out. It’s always a good idea to take your bike to a mechanic if the problem persists. Happy and safe cycling!
