biketampa

I have a new bike and failed to bed-in the disc brakes. It just sort of slipped my mind. I’ve ridden the bike a couple of times for like 4 hours total. Can I clean the rotors with isopropyl alcohol and do the bedding process now? Or just not worry about it?

headasunder

just roll down a hill and start the process again dont bother cleaning the rotors

Cyclist0108

Just hold down either the front or back lever and pedal hard. If you start to grind to a halt, you are probably at that point bedded in ok. It never hurts to clean the rotors with isopropanol, but probably isn't necessary for this. If the pads are totally glazed over (unlikely), you can take them out, briefly sand them on some sandpaper, and then put them back on.

dsbrantjr

Like the proverbial chicken soup, cleaning the rotors (and pads)may not help but it couldn't hurt. Better to bed them in clean than risk baking in contaminants, including finger oils, so don't touch the pads or braking surfaces after cleaning.
I would use automotive Brakleen or similar rather than alcohol, which is not great at dissolving petroleum-based contaminants; just don't get it onto paintwork.

biketampa

Thanks for the suggestions. I just went ahead and went through the bedding in process. I didn’t clean the rotors or anything just left as-is.

DrIsotope

I've never bedded in a rotor on a bike. Last rotor I replaced had 18,000 miles on it, pads go ~7,000.

Canker

yep people worry about this way too much. It really isn't that important and happens just by riding.

biketampa

it’s definitely confusing when you watch YouTube videos by park tools, GCN, etc. and they explain how to do it and imply it’s very important.

HillRider

You've ridden the bike for four hours already right? Did it stop properly on those rides? If it did, leave the brakes as is and just ride.

HerrKaLeun

All the bedding does is putting some brake pad dust on the rotor. The tiny surface imperfections will be filled. it will happen on its own by braking. for the first few miles just ride more carefully since you won't have 100% brake power yet. Same with a car, where they tell you there is a few miles brakin period. No one does specific procedures with cars or motorbikes.

biketampa

valid point. It did brake fine.

jimincalif

It's important in that the first few stops on new rotors/pads - they don't stop very well. Bedding in is really just being aware of this so you work the brakes a few times to ensure they will respond as you expect when you really need them. My LBS told me to do 10 hard stops. In my experience the braking power increases dramatically in the first three stops, after that, they seem to work fine.