There’s nothing more frustrating than having your rear bike brakes fail when you need them most. Whether you’re riding on a busy street or down a steep hill, a brake failure can be dangerous. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Rear bike brake failure is a common problem that can be easily fixed.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps of troubleshooting and repairing a rear bike brake that’s not working. I’ll cover everything from simple fixes like adjusting the brake cable tension to more complex repairs like replacing the brake pads or calipers. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to fix your rear bike brakes like a pro.
Why Rear Bike Brakes Not Working
Causes of Rear Bike Brakes Not Working
Insufficient braking power:
The brakes may not be providing enough braking power to slow or stop the bike. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Dirty or worn brake pads:
The brake pads can become dirty or worn over time, which reduces their ability to grip the brake rotors.
Incorrectly adjusted brakes:
The brakes may be adjusted incorrectly, which can prevent them from applying enough pressure to the brake rotors.
Brake fluid contamination:
The brake fluid can become contaminated with water or other fluids, which can reduce its ability to transfer pressure from the brake lever to the brake calipers.
Brakes sticking:
The brakes may be sticking, which prevents them from releasing properly. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Rust or corrosion:
Rust or corrosion on the brake components can cause them to stick together.
Seized brake calipers:
The brake calipers can seize up, which prevents them from moving freely.
Brake lever binding:
The brake lever can bind up, which prevents it from releasing the brakes.
Brake cable or housing damage:
The brake cable or housing can become damaged, which prevents the brakes from operating properly. This can be caused by:
Cable stretching:
The brake cable can stretch over time, which reduces its ability to transmit force from the brake lever to the brake calipers.
Cable fraying:
The brake cable can fray over time, which can cause it to break.
Brake housing damage:
The brake housing can become damaged, which can prevent the cable from moving freely.
Brake rotor damage:
The brake rotor can become damaged, which can prevent the brakes from operating properly. This can be caused by:
Rubbing against the brake pads:
The brake rotor can rub against the brake pads, which can cause it to become warped or damaged.
Impact damage:
The brake rotor can be damaged by impact, such as from a pothole or a collision.
Other issues:
There are a number of other issues that can cause rear bike brakes to not work properly, including:
Faulty brake calipers:
The brake calipers may be faulty, which can prevent them from applying pressure to the brake rotors.
Faulty brake pads:
The brake pads may be faulty, which can prevent them from gripping the brake rotors.
Faulty brake rotors:
The brake rotors may be faulty, which can prevent the brakes from operating properly.
How to Troubleshoot: Rear Bike Brakes Not Working
Symptoms
There are a few different symptoms that can indicate that your rear bike brakes are not working properly. These include:
The brakes are not engaging when you apply pressure to the brake lever:
This is the most obvious symptom, and it can be dangerous if you’re not able to stop your bike when you need to.
The brakes are making a squealing or grinding noise when you apply pressure to the brake lever:
This noise is caused by the brake pads rubbing against the rim of the wheel.
The brakes are pulling to one side when you apply pressure to the brake lever:
This is caused by the brake pads being unevenly worn.
The brakes are not providing enough stopping power:
This can be dangerous, as it can make it difficult to stop your bike in time.
Causes
There are a number of different things that can cause your rear bike brakes to not work properly. These include:
Dirty brake pads:
Brake pads can become dirty over time, which can reduce their effectiveness.
Worn-out brake pads:
Brake pads wear out over time, and when they wear down too much, they can no longer provide enough stopping power.
Incorrectly adjusted brake pads:
Brake pads need to be adjusted properly in order to work effectively. If the brake pads are not adjusted correctly, they may not be able to contact the rim of the wheel properly, which can reduce their effectiveness.
Corrosion on the brake rotors:
Corrosion on the brake rotors can cause the brake pads to stick to the rotors, which can make it difficult to apply the brakes.
Air in the brake lines:
Air in the brake lines can cause the brakes to feel spongy and unresponsive.
How to Fix the Problem
The first step to fixing the problem is to identify the cause. Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can take steps to fix it. Here are some tips on how to fix each of the potential causes:
Dirty brake pads:
To clean your brake pads, you can use a degreaser and a soft cloth. Be sure to clean both sides of the brake pads.
Worn-out brake pads:
If your brake pads are worn out, you’ll need to replace them. You can find replacement brake pads at most bike shops.
Incorrectly adjusted brake pads:
To adjust your brake pads, you’ll need to loosen the bolts that hold the brake calipers in place. Then, you’ll need to turn the adjustment screws on the brake calipers until the brake pads are properly positioned.
Corrosion on the brake rotors:
To remove corrosion from the brake rotors, you can use a brake rotor cleaner. Be sure to follow the directions on the cleaner’s label.
Air in the brake lines:
To bleed the air out of the brake lines, you’ll need to use a brake bleed kit. You can find brake bleed kits at most bike shops.
Prevention
There are a few things you can do to prevent your rear bike brakes from not working properly. These include:
Regularly clean your brake pads:
This will help to keep them in good condition and prevent them from becoming dirty.
Replace your brake pads when they’re worn out:
Worn-out brake pads can’t provide enough stopping power, so it’s important to replace them as soon as they start to wear down.
Properly adjust your brake pads:
This will help to ensure that they’re able to contact the rim of the wheel properly and provide enough stopping power.
Avoid riding your bike in wet weather:
Wet weather can cause corrosion on the brake rotors, which can make it difficult to apply the brakes.
Bleed your brake lines regularly:
This will help to prevent air from getting into the brake lines, which can cause the brakes to feel spongy and unresponsive.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your rear bike brakes working properly and ensure that you’re able to stop your bike safely when you need to.
FAQs: Rear Bike Brakes Not Working
Why are my rear bike brakes not working?
There are a few possible reasons why your rear bike brakes may not be working. Here are some of the most common:
The brake pads are worn out: This is the most common reason for rear bike brakes not working. When the brake pads are worn out, they no longer make contact with the rim of the wheel, which means that the brakes cannot stop the bike.
The brake cable is frayed or broken: If the brake cable is frayed or broken, it will not be able to transmit the force from the brake lever to the brake pads. This will also cause the brakes to not work properly.
The brake caliper is seized: If the brake caliper is seized, it will not be able to move properly and apply pressure to the brake pads. This will also cause the brakes to not work properly.
The brake fluid is low or contaminated: If the brake fluid is low or contaminated, it will not be able to transfer the force from the brake lever to the brake pads. This will also cause the brakes to not work properly.
How do I fix my rear bike brakes?
To fix your rear bike brakes, you will need to identify the problem and then take the necessary steps to fix it. Here are the steps involved in fixing each of the problems listed above:
Worn out brake pads: To fix worn out brake pads, you will need to remove the old pads and install new ones. You can find instructions on how to do this in your bike’s owner’s manual.
Frayed or broken brake cable: To fix a frayed or broken brake cable, you will need to replace the cable. You can find instructions on how to do this in your bike’s owner’s manual.
Seized brake caliper: To fix a seized brake caliper, you will need to remove the caliper and clean and lubricate it. You can find instructions on how to do this in your bike’s owner’s manual.
Low or contaminated brake fluid: To fix low or contaminated brake fluid, you will need to bleed the brakes. You can find instructions on how to do this in your bike’s owner’s manual.
How can I prevent my rear bike brakes from failing?
There are a few things you can do to prevent your rear bike brakes from failing. Here are some tips:
Inspect your brakes regularly: Check the brake pads for wear and tear, and check the brake cables for fraying or damage.
Replace your brake pads when they are worn out: Worn out brake pads will not be able to stop your bike effectively, which can be dangerous.
Bleed your brakes regularly: Air in the brake lines can cause the brakes to become spongy and ineffective. Bleeding your brakes will remove the air and restore their performance.
Use your brakes properly: Don’t overuse your brakes, and don’t apply them too hard. This can cause the brakes to overheat and fail.
What should I do if my rear bike brakes fail while I’m riding?
If your rear bike brakes fail while you’re riding, there are a few things you can do to stay safe. Here are some tips:
Ease up on the pedals and coast to a stop: Don’t apply the front brake too hard, as this could cause you to lose control of the bike.
Use your front brake to slow down and your rear brake to stop: This will help you to maintain control of the bike.
Signal to other riders that you are slowing down: This will help to keep everyone safe.
Pull over to the side of the road and inspect your brakes: If the brakes are still not working, you may need to have them repaired or replaced.
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