My brakes feel squishy. What should I do?
This is a surefire sign that you need to bleed your brakes. It generally means there's air in the system. Be sure to inspect your hoses to ensure there are no holes that might allow air to enter the system before bleeding.
My brake levers creep to the handlebars the longer I press them. What should I do?
This is another surefire sign you need to bleed your brakes. It means there is air in the system.
My brakes squeal. What should I do?
Remove your brake pads and inspect them for contamination. Replace them if necessary. Also inspect your rotors for contamination; clean them with isopropyl alcohol, or a disc brake cleaner. You might also need to center your caliper.
Can I touch my rotors?
Yes, but you shouldn't, for two reasons…
First, you can contaminate the rotors with oils or dirt that can diminish braking performance. And second, rotors get very hot! Touching them shortly after use can lead to injury.
If you have to touch your rotors, just be sure to wipe them down with isopropyl alcohol.
What happens if my brake pads get contaminated?
You can try cleaning your brake pads with some rubbing alcohol, and sanding them with some sandpaper to rough them up. But depending on what they've been contaminated with, it might be necessary to simply replace the pads.
How do I know when to replace my brake pads?
If your brakes start squealing consistently, or if you find yourself with far less braking power than you're used to, it may be a sign your pads need to be replaced. Pop them out and inspect them for wear; if the pads look worn to the point that most of the actual braking material is gone and only the backing material remains, it's time to replace your pads.
How do I know when to replace my rotors?
Rotors don't need to be replaced frequently, but if your braking power has diminished significantly, or if your brakes are squealing very loudly, inspect your pads and rotors. Chances are you need new pads, not rotors. But you can also inspect the rotors to see how much they have worn; generally, if the rotors have worn to the point where a significant ridge has developed in the metal, it's probably time to consider replacing them.