Hi everyone,

I have bought my first (used) bike that has disc brakes. Thinking this was a wise choice as I've been told disc brakes are superior to the side-pull caliper style brakes. However I do not know how to maintain them. After watching a few videos on Youtube on the subject, it seems like it involves more work and room for error compared to the side-pull caliper brakes. But perhaps it is like this for most people if you already know how to maintain the other type of brakes?

I have a few questions though:

1: How do I know what kind of brake pads I need? I tried just reading the label on the brake and looking on e.g. eBay, but how do I know for sure they will fit?

2: My brakes squeal a lot. I didn't notice this when I examined the used bike as it was dry and warmer. They appear to only (or at least for the most past) squeal when it is wet and cold. I'm not sure if it is the temperature or the difference in friction due to water that causes the squealing. I watched a few videos on how to remedy squealing brakes, but it seems like you have to disassemble the brake in order to get to the pads so you can clean them.

3: Are my brakes "self aligning"? In the sense that when I replace the brake pads, will they self align just by pulling the brake?

I attached a few pictures, hoping someone will be able to tell me what kind of brake pads will fit the brakes.

Thanks. :-)

the brand and model are a big clue.

In koolstop catalog it's D700 https://www.koolstop.com/english/disc_tektro.html

I'd recommend a proper bike shop to show you what else to do.

as a mechanical brake the self aligning part is You doing it yourself.

there is no auto-adjustment for pad wear, its DIY.

Read the service Manual !`

Unfortunately it didn't come with a service manual. But I will see if I can find it online.

Typically component fliers , they had them in the shipping box , often, just too much to cram
in the display hang tag Bag
so you have to ask at the Bike Shop You Got the bike From..

I had to get the PDF for my Heating and Cooking stove. when I bought my House.

This might help. https://www.tektro.com/_english/03_su...1_download.php

I bought the bike used from an individual not affiliated to any bike shop.

Surely there must be some trivial way to determine what the exact model number on the brake system is?

I looked through all of those, they appear to be just for hydraulic or linear pull systems.

Try this one - about halfway down the All Categories list (I see an IO on your brake): Mechanical Disc Brake For Aquila / Lyra / Io / Novela-English

Here's some that will fit:
https://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup....Fc07OgodjnQAoQ

Search for Tektro Io brake pads; many come up. You'll want to read up on different pads; there are rotors made expressly for "organic" aka "resin" pads, but often, you can run whatever pads you think will suit your needs the most. Check out this article for a brief rundown, a l'il less than halfway down.

https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb...-buyers-guide/

Generally speaking, semi-metallic pads are the best bet for general riding. They're a best-of-both-worlds/jack of all trades middle-ground between the good feel but fast-wearing resin pads, and the long-lasting/fade-resistant/noisy/poor modulating sintered pads.

hth
-Rob
ps- I don't like disc brakes. so glad i switched back to V's