To Prep or Not to Prep
In most cases you should be able to throw our brake pads in and go. That said, prior use of a sintered metallic brake pad usually warrants prep, and conflicts between compounds is common.
If you throw our brake pads in and get noise, that is the key indicator that you DO need to follow the steps below.
How to Reset the Rotors
Here is the drill we relay when prepping used rotors for new brake pads, or when noise and/or contamination issues come up. This CAN be somewhat common as we can never control or predict what the rotor has been through and used-with before dropping our brake pads in. This also applies to any change from one compound to another when using the same rotor. Make note, this is not exclusive to our product.
** FIRST STEP - MAKE SURE THE THICKNESS OF YOUR ROTOR IS WITHIN THE WEAR-LIMIT. Rotors can also wear over time - make certain the rotor is perfectly flat and true with no uneven wear.
Wear gloves and begin the following process:
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Remove your rotors - spray them clean with an automotive brake cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the rotors dry before the brake cleaner dries.
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Grab some 80 or 100 grit sandpaper and sand both sides in fairly straight lines, by hand, aggressively. We want to get the factory crosshatch pattern back into the surface essentially creating a new, rough surface for the brake pad to bed into and bite down on. *Rotors are made from hardened stainless steel - you will-not damage or remove any material of the rotor, what-so-ever when sanding by-hand. You’re literally just scratching the surface to create a new “bite point” for the rotor and pad surface.
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Spray the rotors with the brake cleaner or alcohol again, and wipe them down before it dries.
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Lightly sand the brake pads (if they are used) - it'll take less than a few seconds to get them to look like new again. This resets the pads (as long as they have not been exposed to any oils or contaminants).
Make note!! This is not a sure-fire, works-every-time process. Sometimes rotors are just done and/or have been deeply engrained with the previous brake pad that there is no going back. We are just trying to save your current rotors to the best of our own knowledge base.
There is nothing like new rotors paired with new brake pads. if you have 2+ seasons on your rotors, it very-likely may be time for new ones. We are happy to guide you on what rotors to choose.
Bed In Process
This process is vital and worth the time to ensure top-level performance consistently over the life of the brake pads. Our brake pads will bed-in twice as fast as you are used to, in most cases*.
Summary of Process: The goal is to apply a steady, even application of the brake pad material to the rotor while moving at controlled speeds from 15-20mph down to 5-10mph and back up again, repeating several times.
Think of it this way: if you were to paint your rotors (do not do that), you would want to apply an even coat of paint with the same thickness all the way around the surface. Sample principle with bedding brake pads to the rotor.
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Find a long but mild descent (shuttling up a long canyon road is perfect, but a big hill you can repeat is fine too.).
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Pedal to 15-20mph. With steady pressure, apply one brake in order to slow down but not to a full stop. *Do not stop abruptly! Pedal back up to speed and apply the other brake. Continue alternating from front to rear brakes, one at a time.
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Have patience - all brakes are different and several factors can speed up the process or slow it down. This procedure will take roughy 10-20 repetitions to fully seat the brake pads to the rotor.
You will soon confidently feel the brake pads seat or bed-in when the pull of the brake lever delivers strong and smooth power to stop the bike suddenly.
Now go ride like normal and enjoy the progressive power delivery of MTX Braking performance brake pads.
As always, if you have any questions or issues, please contact us anytime.
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