How to Fix Squeaky Bicycle Brakes

Squeaking or squealing bicycle brakes can indicate dirty or improperly adjusted brake pads. Properly adjusted pads sit in a position known as "toe in" where the front edge of the brake pads makes contact with the rim first, preventing a vibration that causes the brakes to squeak when pressure is applied. Embedded road grime may also cause brakes to squeak. Resurfacing and adjusting your brake pads will usually solve the problem, and these simple tasks take just a few minutes to accomplish, whether on adjustable or nonadjustable bicycle brakes.

Things You'll Need

  • 100-grit sandpaper
  • Medium flat file
  • Adjustable wrench
  • 1 mm thick cardboard shims
  • Allen wrench
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Instructions

  1. Nonadjustable Brakes

    • 1

      Loosen the brake pad nuts and remove the pads from the calipers. Sand the brake pads to remove any embedded road grime that may be causing the squeaking.

    • 2

      File the face of each brake pad to reduce the thickness of the pad on the back edge. This will allow the front of the pad face to contact the rim first. Replace the brake pads in the calipers and tighten the brake pad nuts.

    • 3

      Place an adjustable wrench on the arm of the brake calipers. Lever the adjustable wrench to twist and bend the calipers until the front of the brake pad face contacts the rim before the back. Avoid over-bending the caliper arms to prevent damage to the brake mechanism.

    Adjustable Brakes

    • 4

      Loosen the brake pad nut on each brake pad. Remove the brake pads and sand the surface to remove any grime.

    • 5

      Lubricate the nut and bolt with a few drops of oil. Replace the brake pads back on the calipers and tighten the brake pad nut tight enough to hold the pads in place but loose enough to adjust the position on the pad. Align the brake pad to the rim so it does not contact the rubber of the tire.

    • 6

      Place a cardboard shim between the back end of the brake pads and the wheel rim. Squeeze the brake pad to align the pads in the calipers. Tighten the nut on the brake pads to lock them in place. Release the brakes.

    • 7

      Slowly squeeze the brakes again and observe how the pads make contact with the rim of the bike. If the front of the pads contact first, the adjustment is complete. If not, double the thickness of the shim and repeat the adjustment process.