Originally Posted by
Pop N Wood
I know I don't worry about getting finger prints on a car rotor like a I do a bicycle rotor.
I always read that and it confuses me.
On a road bike, the rotors/pads are exposed to puddles, road grit, rain and potentially sweat.
In fact, disc brakes are the preferred brakes for cyclocross and MTB.
The last 2 exposes the rotors/pads to mud - have you seen some of the "after" race pictures?
How on earth is a "clean" fingerprint worse that mud for brake pads?!?
However, I will say a "greasy" fingerprint will contaminate the pads if not cleaned off before use.
As long as you change gloves after regreasing bearings or lubing your chain, the rotors/pads will be fine.
If a little chain grease gets on the rotor, clean with any strong degreaser and the pads will be fine.