Mountain Biking - how to clean disk brakes?

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Help Im A Noob
05-15-06, 03:58 PM
i have shimano disk brakes on my trek, and i got alot of sandy mud on my bike last week. i mean ALOT so im pretty sure theres still alot of dirt and sand in my disk pad parts, because the hose couldnt even wash most of this stuff off, it like turns to cement when it drys. im not exactly sure how to even get to the disk brakes, but once i get to them, what should i use to clean them? rubbing alchohol

sry spelling sucks i know; working on it.

free_pizza
05-15-06, 04:21 PM
. im not exactly sure how to even get to the disk brakes, .this might be tricky, but if you are on the bike, get off, walk to the front of the bike, and there SHOULD be disc brakes attached to the fork. Repeat this same process for the rear.

Another handy trick to find the brakes: follow the cable that comes out of your brake lever, it should lead you to them :D:D



.
but once i get to them, what should i use to clean them? rubbing alchohol

take the wheels off, spray the rotors/caliper with water, then get some paper towel and clean it with some rubbing alcohol. If you have access to an air compressor, use that to get rid of the sand from the calipers. You can also pop out the brake pads and clean them with rubbing alcohol too.
MattP.
05-15-06, 05:41 PM
rubbing alcohol for ze rotors.

Help Im A Noob
05-15-06, 06:39 PM
lol ok i got em both done, thanks guys
Jason222
05-15-06, 08:06 PM
You can also buy disc brake cleaners at department stores. Be careful for the ones that contain lubricants though, they'll ruin the performance of the disc brake.
mx_599
05-16-06, 12:23 AM
http://karcher-usa.com/images/pressurewashers/205x252/k_397_m_vps_205x252.gif

and/or

http://www.crcindustries.com/catalog/images/Cleaners%20and%20Degreasers/05084.jpg
blue_neon
05-16-06, 02:05 AM
Dont use disk brake cleaner! USE DENTURED ALCHOL! I am speaking on behalf or Raiyn since i know dentured alchol works better then disk brake cleaner (tried both)...and metho is cheaper! :D
Help Im A Noob
05-16-06, 06:39 AM
haha funny you should say that, i asked my dad and he said that i think it was denatured alchol, or dentured alchol and it worked great.
[bEn]
05-16-06, 07:01 AM
Its called Metho (Methylated Spirits) here. Same stuff, different name, does the job.
junkyard
05-16-06, 07:47 AM
cuervo works wonders