Felt Bicycle - Page 38

38
Checking hydraulic disc brakes
Regularly check the lines and connections for leaks while pulling on the lever. If
brake fluid leaks out, contact your FELT dealer immediately, as a leak can render
your brakes useless.
Check the pads for wear by inspecting the thickness of the braking material
attached to the backing plate within the brake calliper (a) or view through the
window on the upper side of the calliper (b). If there is approximately 1mm of
material left on each brake pad you will have to remove the pads according to the
manufacturer’s instructions and carefully remove and replace them.
Dirty brake pads and discs can lead to drastically reduced braking power.
See to it that oil or other fluids do not get in contact with the brake, espe-
cially when you clean or grease your bike. Dirty brake pads can under
no circumstances be cleaned again, they must be replaced! Discs can
be cleaned with warm water and mild soap. There are also special brake
cleaners available. Ask your FELT dealer for advice.
Loose connections and leaky brake lines drastically impair braking power.
If you find leaks in the brake system or buckled lines, contact your FELT
dealer.
Checking and adjusting mechanical disc brakes
Regularly check whether you get a clearcut braking response before the lever
touches the handlebars (picture (a), page 36).
To a certain extent, wear of the brake pads can be compensated for directly at the
hand lever. Unscrew the union nut on the bolt through which the cable enters the
lever and then unscrew the bolt until the levers has the desired travel (picture (b)
page 36).
Retighten the lock nut and take care that the slot of the bolt faces neither forward
nor upwards, as this would permit water or dirt to enter (picture (c) page 36).
Now check the functioning of the brake and see to it that the brake pads do not
drag on the disc when you release the brake lever and let the wheel spin.
When altering the brake lever adjuster, the arm on the brake calliper changes its
position. This can reduce braking power, possibly rendering them useless in an
emergency!
There are also ways of adjusting the brakes directly at the brake calliper, though
this requires a certain amount of skill. In any case, be sure to read the original
instructions of the brake manufacturer before adjusting the brakes. If in doubt, ask
your FELT dealer for advice.
Damaged cables should be replaced immediately, as they can snap.
Brakes that have only been adjusted at the brake lever can drastically
lose effectiveness.
a b