Hi, I just purchased and received a Specialized Diverge base model. It has Tektro mechanical disc brakes and upon first ride even at 5-10 MPH I full grip the brakes and im still unable to put significant braking power down. I have a MTB with mechanical disc brakes and this is very very weak in comparison.
Im wondering if there is something I had to do before taking it for the first ride, like a layer over the pads from the factory or something? Is there something im missing?
by 1lcvee
8 Comments
Try bedding in the pads.
Bed in the brakes first, assuming they’re not rubbing and not pulling in too far.
After that you can get bigger rotors or the best upgrade would be just going straight to hydraulic as they’re very cheap these days.
Shimano mt200 are bullet proof and cheap as chips.
When you press the levers, are you maxed out ? Maybe need to shorten the cables a little?
This is normal, no worries. Just need to “bed the pads” as it’s called, which basically just means heating the pads and rotors up to create a solid grip between the two. There are lots of videos on YouTube explaining the process, very simple and doesn’t take long. Good luck and have fun!
You needed to bed the brakes. Don’t worry. Did the same thing with my Diverge when I bought it. We’ve all been there. Here’s how to fix:
A. Try [this](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BWQxGzHQZVU) first. If it works, you’re good. Depends how glazed your pads are/how much you’ve ridden it.
B. If glazed/still weak, you need to remove the glazing on the pads and start fresh. It’s easy. Here’s how:
1. remove the brake pads
2. Lay a piece of sandpaper (100-200 grit, whatever you have) grit-side up on a flat surface.
3. Rub the pad on the paper. Move to fresh sections of paper often. Keep everything flat. Go slow and easy.
4. Rinse pads with isopropyl alcohol to get slurry off.
5. Reinstall pads.
6. Go back and do the procedure from the video in letter A.
7. You can clean your rotors with the alcohol too if you want. You don’t need to remove them. They’re likely fine.
You can absolutely do all of this yourself. Takes about 10-20 minutes and it’s a good skill to have.
Those brakes will stop you just fine. Despite what others may tell you, when properly bedded they’re strong enough to send you over the handlebars if you slam on them. But, you may soon realize the limitations of mechanical disc brakes, which is mostly just that they don’t feel as nice as hydraulics/give you the modulation control of hydraulics. If you ever get tired of them and want to upgrade without breaking the bank for full hydro conversion, Google juintech F1s or R1s. But ride your current setup for a year first to see how you like it.
Also, go join r/divergegravelbikes and welcome to the family! 🙂
Bed the brakes is the big thing
Upgrade the housing to Jagwire Pro compressionless housing.
Can you show us the side view? The position of the actuating arm when the pads hit has an effect.
This looks like a single acting caliper with incorrect adjustment.
Loosen the cable so the arm on the caliper is nearly at its limit when the handle is released, wire should be just barely under tension. Move the caliper so the left brake pad is just barely clearing the disk. Tighten adjustment screw for the right pad so it also just barely clears the disk.