Common Brake Problems and How to Fix Them
If you cycle in the UK regularly — whether it’s the Monday commute through Manchester drizzle or a peaceful Sunday ride through the Surrey Hills — your brakes are working harder than you think. Rain, grit, salt, potholes, steep hills… British roads are tough on brake systems.
And when something goes wrong, you feel it immediately.
The squeak.
The rubbing.
The sudden loss of stopping power.
That heart-stopping moment when the lever pulls too far.
The good news? Most brake problems are simple to fix at home, and you don’t need to be a professional mechanic to get your bike safe again. With the right guidance (and good-quality parts from Laxzo), you can diagnose and repair most issues in minutes.
1. Squeaky Brakes (Especially in Wet Weather)
If your brakes scream every time you stop — don’t panic. UK riders deal with this constantly, especially in autumn and winter.
Why it happens:
• Moisture on rims/rotors
• Glazed or worn pads
• Contaminated braking surfaces
• Misaligned pads
How to fix it:
1. Clean your rims or rotors with isopropyl alcohol.
2. Remove dirt, road salt, and oily residue.
3. Realign the brake pads so they hit the braking surface evenly.
4. If the pad surface is shiny or hardened, replace it.
Tip: Laxzo’s brake pads grip well in the rain and are less prone to glazing, making them ideal for UK winters.
2. Brake Rub (Wheel Won’t Spin Freely)
A very common frustration. You lift the wheel and it moves… but not smoothly. Something is rubbing.
Why it happens:
• Wheel not fully seated in the dropouts
• Warped rotor (disc brakes)
• Caliper misalignment
• Rim brake pads sitting too close
How to fix it:
• Reseat the wheel firmly.
• For disc brakes: loosen caliper bolts, squeeze the lever, retighten.
• For rim brakes: adjust the toe-in angle and spacing.
• Check rotor trueness — if badly warped, replace it.
When UK riders need affordable replacement rotors or pads, Laxzo is often the go-to because the parts are reliable and budget-friendly.
3. Weak Stopping Power
If you feel like you’re pulling the lever too hard — especially on wet or downhill roads — it’s time for a quick inspection.
Why it happens:
• Worn pads
• Contaminated pad or rotor
• Stretching brake cables (rim brakes)
• Air bubbles in hydraulic lines
• Cheap pads that don’t perform well in the wet
How to fix it:
• Replace worn-out pads.
• Clean rotors/rims.
• For rim brakes: tighten the cable tension.
• For hydraulic brakes: bleed the system and refill fluid.
• Upgrade to better pads — semi-metallic or ceramic pads last longer in UK conditions.
Laxzo’s premium pads are designed for strong, consistent braking in wet British weather — something not every brand can promise.
4. Lever Pulls Too Close to the Handlebar
This is one brake problem that can scare riders the most because it gives you an instant loss of brake power.
Reasons:
• Cable stretch (more common in older bikes)
• Worn-out pads
• Hydraulic brakes with air in them
• Loose cable pinch bolt
• Caliper not engaging completely
Skipping the brake fixing will lead to:
• Loose cable tension might need tuning up at the barrel adjuster.
• Changing worn-out pads to new ones.
• Done bleeding the hydraulic systems.
• Caliper arm movements need to make sure they’re free.
“Spongy” is the word often used to describe a brake lever’s feel, which is usually an indication that new pads are required.
5. Brakes Locking Up or Feeling Unnecessarily Sharp
This is the opposite problem — brakes that grip too aggressively.
Reasons:
• Pads installed too close
• Pistons are dirty or sticky
• Wrong pad compound for your riding style
• Contamination of the rotor
Skipping the brake fixing will lead to:
• Pad alignment requires little backing off.
• Cleaning the caliper pistons.
• Choosing the right pad material (resin pads are smoother for city riding).
• Ensuring the rotor is clean and dry.
One thing UK riders appreciate about Laxzo’s range is their ability to choose different pad materials depending on weather, terrain, and braking feel.
6. Grinding Noise (STOP Riding Immediately)
A grinding sound is an indication of metal-to-metal contact, which is never a good thing.
Reasons:
• Pads have worn down to nothing
• Damage to the rotor
• Clips that are either missing or loose
• Heavy contamination
Skipping a brake replacement will lead to:
• Pads will have to be replaced right away.
• Checking rotor for scoring — replacing if badly grooved.
• Cleaning mountings and refitting hardware.
Riding on metal-to-metal brakes will not only damage your wheels or rotors but also make your repairs far more expensive. This is why having Laxzo’s affordable spare pads at home comes in handy—you never run out of them.
7. Vibration or Shudder When Braking
You feel it through the handlebars — a pulsing or shaking when you brake.
Why it happens:
• Loose bolts
• Warped rotor
• Pad contamination
• Rims not true
• Fork flex
How to fix it:
• Tighten all brake components.
• True the rotor or replace it.
• Clean the braking surface.
• Adjust pads to hit evenly.
UK roads are rough, especially after winter, so vibration is more common than many riders think.
Why Laxzo Helps UK Riders Fix Brake Problems More Easily
Laxzo has quietly become a favourite among UK commuters and weekend cyclists because:
• Their brake pads are affordable, especially compared to the high-priced big retailers.
• They offer pads for disc, rim, V-brake, e-bikes, hybrids and MTB.
• Their components are built to handle wet, gritty, salt-covered UK roads.
• Fast UK delivery means you’re not waiting days to get your bike running again.
• Many riders doing home maintenance trust Laxzo because parts actually last.
Simply put:
UK cyclists get better value without compromising safety — exactly what most riders want.
Wrapping Up
Issues with brakes are very annoying, particularly when they happen to take place during your everyday journey or weekend trip. However, in most cases,—noise, rubbing, low braking power, vibrations—the problems with brakes can be resolved quickly by employing some basic tools and skills.
If you are able to recognize the problems with your brakes and are using high-quality parts made for the UK climate, it is possible to save money, be safer, and have a year-round smoother riding experience.
Additionally, Laxzo is providing the UK market, climate-proof brake pads and accessories at reasonable prices, thus making the home brake fixing more convenient than ever.
Be safe in your journey. Be smart in braking.
