Bike brakes squeaking, rubbing or weak?
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Your answers
What are the brakes doing?
- They don’t stop me as well as they should
- The lever pulls nearly to the handlebar, less than a thumb’s width away
- Grinding or scraping when I brake
- They squeal or squeak
- They rub when I’m not braking
- The lever sticks, feels loose or doesn’t spring back
- The bike judders or shudders when I brake at the front
Which brakes does your bike have?
Look at the middle of the wheel.
Squeeze the lever hard.
How does it feel?
Do the brakes still stop you as well as they used to?
Which brakes does your bike have?
Look at the middle of the wheel.
Lift that end of the bike and spin the wheel.
Does the edge of the wheel wobble from side to side as it turns?
Gently squeeze pairs of spokes all the way round the wheel.
Is one broken, or much looser than the rest?
Hold the frame still and push the top of the wheel firmly from side to side.
Does the whole wheel clunk or move?
Look where the wheel fixes to the frame.
Is its lever folded flat against the frame (or, with no lever, do the axle nuts sit flat against it), and is the gap the same on each side of the tyre?
How big is the wobble?
Look where the wheel fixes to the frame.
Is its lever folded flat against the frame (or, with no lever, do the axle nuts sit flat against it), and is the gap the same on each side of the tyre?
Squeeze the front brake hard and gently rock the bike forwards and back, with the fingers of your other hand round the joint where the fork meets the front of the frame, just below the handlebars.
Do you feel or hear a clunk there?
Don’t ride it until it stops properly.
Rim brakes are weaker in the wet; if the rims look hollowed where the pads touch, say so: worn rims need replacing.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The pads may be worn or hardened with age, the rims dirty or oily, or the brake needs adjusting.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Rim brake pad replacement
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: brake adjustment (not on spoked yet).
Don’t ride it
The brake may not stop you when you need it.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
On brakes with a fluid-filled hose, air in the system or a leak; on cable disc brakes, a stretched cable or worn pads.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Hydraulic disc brake bleed
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: brake adjustment (not on spoked yet), disc brake pad replacement (not on spoked yet).
Don’t ride it
Keep oil and spray away from the discs.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The pads may be worn or glazed (hardened smooth by heat), or oil, lube or cleaning spray may have got onto the pads or disc.
Oily pads usually have to be replaced.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Disc brake pad replacement
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: disc rotor truing or replacement (not on spoked yet).
Don’t ride it
Brakes that don’t stop you are the most dangerous fault a bike can have.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
Worn or dirty pads, or a brake that needs adjusting.
- How sure we are
- Needs a look
We can’t tell from here. Someone needs to see the bike.
- What it needs
The job: Brake adjustment
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
Don’t ride it until the brake is fixed.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The brake needs adjusting: its cable may have stretched, the pads may be worn down, or, on brakes with a fluid-filled hose, air may have got in.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Brake adjustment
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: rim brake pad replacement (not on spoked yet), disc brake pad replacement (not on spoked yet), hydraulic disc brake bleed (not on spoked yet), brake cable & outer replacement (not on spoked yet).
Don’t ride it
Braking is weak and the metal damages the wheel or disc.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The pads are probably worn down to the metal, or grit is caught in them.
- How sure we are
- Most likely
This is the usual cause of what you’ve described.
- What it needs
The job: Rim brake pad replacement
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: disc brake pad replacement (not on spoked yet), disc rotor truing or replacement (not on spoked yet).
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
Usually the pads sit at a slight angle to the rim, or the rim or pads are dirty.
Can wait. Get it fixed when it suits you. If the bike feels wrong in any other way, don’t ride it. If it stops less well than it did, don’t ride it.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Brake adjustment
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: rim brake pad replacement (not on spoked yet).
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
Usually something on the pads or disc (oil, cleaning spray), new pads not yet worn in, or water.
Get it fixed soon. Until then, ride only if it feels right, and stop if it gets worse. If braking gets weaker, stop riding it.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Disc brake pad replacement
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: disc rotor truing or replacement (not on spoked yet).
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
Dirty or misaligned pads are the usual cause.
Get it fixed soon. Until then, ride only if it feels right, and stop if it gets worse. If braking gets weaker, stop riding it.
- How sure we are
- Needs a look
We can’t tell from here. Someone needs to see the bike.
- What it needs
The job: Brake adjustment
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
Don’t ride it
The wheel weakens quickly and a loose end can catch. Spokes come in many lengths, so a Spoke measures before you buy.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
Probably a broken spoke.
- How sure we are
- Most likely
This is the usual cause of what you’ve described.
- What to ask for
Diagnosis: what’s wrong and what to order
It could also need: broken spoke replacement, wheel truing.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The wheel probably needs truing: tightening and loosening its spokes until it runs straight.
Get it fixed soon. Until then, ride only if it feels right, and stop if it gets worse. A wobble that touches the brake changes how it bites.
- How sure we are
- Most likely
This is the usual cause of what you’ve described.
- What to ask for
Wheel truing
Don’t ride it
A wheel that isn’t secure can come out. Walk it.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The wheel may not be fully in the frame, or its lever or axle nuts may not be tight.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What to ask for
Diagnosis: what’s wrong and what to order
Don’t ride it
A wheel that moves sideways in the frame isn’t safe until someone has looked at it.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The bearings in the middle of the wheel (the hub) may be loose or worn, or the axle broken.
- How sure we are
- Needs a look
We can’t tell from here. Someone needs to see the bike.
- What to ask for
Diagnosis: what’s wrong and what to order
It could also need: hub service.
Don’t ride it while it hits the frame or brake.
A new wheel isn’t on spoked yet.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
Probably a bent rim, often from a pothole or a knock.
Truing rarely straightens a bent rim; a Spoke can tell whether it will, or whether the rim or wheel needs replacing.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What to ask for
Diagnosis: what’s wrong and what to order
It could also need: wheel truing.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The brake is probably off-centre or a pad is sticking; on disc brakes the disc may be slightly bent.
Get it fixed soon. Until then, ride only if it feels right, and stop if it gets worse. Don’t ride it if it doesn’t stop you well, if a rim brake pad touches the tyre (it can wear through it quickly), or if the wheel knocks when you push it sideways.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Brake adjustment
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: disc rotor truing or replacement (not on spoked yet).
Don’t ride it
A brake that sticks on or won’t come on is dangerous.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
The brake cable may be rusty or frayed, or the lever or brake loose or needing a service.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Brake cable & outer replacement
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: brake adjustment (not on spoked yet).
Don’t ride it
It gets worse, and affects steering and braking.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
Most often a loose headset (the bearings the fork turns in); sometimes the front brake’s mounting or a suspension fork.
- How sure we are
- One of a few causes
This fits what you’ve described, but so do other things. A Spoke will check before starting.
- What it needs
The job: Headset service or replacement
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
Don’t ride it until it’s been checked.
This is based only on your answers. Nobody has seen your bike. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t ride it.
- What might be wrong
A knock at the front is usually the headset, the front brake’s mounting or the front wheel.
- How sure we are
- Needs a look
We can’t tell from here. Someone needs to see the bike.
- What it needs
The job: Headset service or replacement
This is a high-risk job, so Spokes don’t offer it yet. Until they do, we recommend taking your bike to a bike shop.
It could also need: brake adjustment (not on spoked yet).
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What usually causes it
- The pads are probably worn down to the metal, or grit is caught in them.
- The brake needs adjusting: its cable may have stretched, the pads may be worn down, or, on brakes with a fluid-filled hose, air may have got in.
- The brake cable may be rusty or frayed, or the lever or brake loose or needing a service.
- The pads may be worn or hardened with age, the rims dirty or oily, or the brake needs adjusting.
- On brakes with a fluid-filled hose, air in the system or a leak; on cable disc brakes, a stretched cable or worn pads.
- The pads may be worn or glazed (hardened smooth by heat), or oil, lube or cleaning spray may have got onto the pads or disc.
- Usually the pads sit at a slight angle to the rim, or the rim or pads are dirty.
- Usually something on the pads or disc (oil, cleaning spray), new pads not yet worn in, or water.
- The brake is probably off-centre or a pad is sticking; on disc brakes the disc may be slightly bent.
- The wheel may not be fully in the frame, or its lever or axle nuts may not be tight.
- Worn or dirty pads, or a brake that needs adjusting.
- Dirty or misaligned pads are the usual cause.
The checker gives general information from your answers. It isn’t an inspection and doesn’t tell you a bike is safe. Nothing here limits liability the law doesn’t let us limit, including for death or personal injury caused by negligence.