Debate: should you bleed disc brakes before a big race or just top em off?

Had a buddy last month swear by bleeding his whole system two days before a century ride, said it saved his race. But three years ago another mechanic told me you waste fluid and risk air bubbles doing that, just top off and go. Which camp are you in and why?

2 comments

2 Comments

john_sullivan23d ago

Yeah, Fiona nailed it with "half the time just topping off works fine." I'm in that camp, bleeding is overkill unless you actually have air or feel the lever getting spongy mid-ride. Just top it off and save yourself the headache of messing with fresh fluid.

fiona_reed3d agoMost Upvoted

Ngl people treat bike maintenance like they're defusing a bomb when half the time just topping off works fine.