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Brake Pad Install for eBikes

Brake Pad Install for eBikes

The brake pads on your Tower electric bike are something that should be checked frequently. Electric Bikes tend to go through brake pads much faster than a traditional non-electric bicycle due to the higher speeds and heavier weight of the bike. Running your bike with worn brake pads can not only cause lasting damage to the brakes and rotors, but can be unsafe as the bike does not have as reliable of stopping power. However, checking the brake pads, and replacing them if need be, is a very simple process! To check your brake pads, shine a light from behind the caliper and look head on like in the above picture. If the brake pads are less than half than what you see above, then it is time for new brake pads!

The proper brake pads for your Tower Beach Bum V2 or Beach Babe are the Tektro A10.11 brake pads. However, other models like the E10.11 will fit as well if needed.

Here is a video walking through the process:





The tools you will need for this are:

  • 3mm Allen Key
  • 15mm/18mm Wrench
  • Bike Stand/Way to Hold up the Ebike
  • Piston Press (Optional)

Here is the process:

  1. First, use either the 15mm or 18mm wrench to remove either the front or rear wheel.
  2. Once the wheel is off, use the 3mm Allen key to remove the retaining bolt from the top of the caliper.
  3. With that bolt removed, you can now take the old brake pads out from the bottom of the caliper.
  4. Check to see if the pistons have been pushed out at all. If they are pushed out, use either a Piston Press or a flat head screwdriver to push them back into place.
  5. Once the pistons have been pushed back into place, you can now slide the new brake pads in. Make sure the brake pads are positioned correctly in the brake pad spring/retaining unit.
  6. Once the new brake pads are in place, reinstall the retaining bolt and tighten down with the 3mm Allen key. This does not need to be torqued down.
  7. Reinstall the wheel, and tighten down with the appropriate wrench.

The new brake pads have now been installed! You may need to readjust the brake a bit if your rotor is rubbing. Please refer to the Hydraulic Brake Adjustment.

In addition to an adjustment, new brake pads need to go through a bedding in process. What does this mean? New brake pads typically have a factory coating on them to prevent contamination from happening to the pads well in transit. The bedding in process helps burn off that factory coating and make the brake pads function well and grip reliably. How do you bed in your new brake pads? Just by riding your bike! The first couple rides after installing the new brake pads, when you come to a stop, instead of slamming on the brakes and gripping as hard as you can, lightly feather the brake levers as you come to a stop. This tapping of the brake pads to the rotor will help burn off that factory coating and as you ride, you should start to feel the brakes grab more and more. After a ride or two, your brakes should be good to go and you can go back to braking as strongly as you like!

What happens if I don’t bed in my brakes? If you do not bed in your brakes, you can glaze over your rotors and pads. What this means is that the factory coating can transfer over to your rotors, instead of burning off. This will cause the brakes to not stop properly and instead of gripping the rotor, they will just slide and make a loud squealing noise. So be sure to bed your new brake pads in properly!





Everything DIY E-Bike Repairs

Homepage: eBike Repair Guide

eBike Repair Basics & Assembly

eBike Brake System Service Guide

eBike Drivetrain Service Guide

eBike Wheels & Tire Guide

eBike Electric Repair Guide

Miscellaneous eBike Service Guide