Tried a zip tie method to set my brake pads and it actually saved me 45 minutes

I've been fighting with new disc brake pads for months now on my old Trek mountain bike. They'd always rub no matter how careful I was centering the caliper. Last weekend I was about to give up again when a guy at the local bike shop in Portland mentioned clamping a zip tie around the brake lever before tightening the caliper bolts. I figured it was worth a shot since I had nothing to lose. I put in fresh pads, squeezed the lever, wrapped a zip tie tight around it to hold pressure, then loosened and retightened the caliper bolts. When I cut the zip tie off and spun the wheel, the rotor was dead center with zero rub. First time in 3 years I didn't have to fiddle with it for an hour afterward. Has anyone else tried this trick or do you have a different method that works better for sticky calipers?

2 comments

2 Comments

gavin8021d ago

Wait so did you have to hold the lever down while wrapping the zip tie, or did you squeeze it first and then lock it? Cause I tried this on my Shimano SLX brakes last week and the zip tie slipped off before I could get the bolts snug. Ended up just using a velcro strap instead, worked way better for me since you can crank it down tighter. Also curious if you ran into any issues with the pistons pushing out too far when you held the lever that long? I've heard some guys say it can pop a piston clean out if your pads are already worn thin.

elizabeththomas20d ago

Velcro is smarter honestly, no risk of launching a piston into orbit.