Bike Brake Fluids Review

Today bike riders are going places they never went before. This may include steep mountainous hills, deep water crossings, mud filled roads, and high speed road races. For this kind of bike rider, a top of the line braking system is a must. This means disc brakes which require fluid such as SRAM PitStop fluid. There is no superior braking system on bikes today than that of disc brake rotors. Think of how well your old car or truck with drum brakes stopped versus that of a brand new car with 4 wheel discs brakes and you’ll get the idea. In order for your bike’s disc brake system to work well, it needs a high quality brake fluid.

Some brake fluids for bikes, like Finish Line brake fluid, are made from a mineral oil and other ingredients. This type of brake fluid is recommended for certain bikes, such as the Shimano brand. Other high quality brake fluids are typically used for other bike manufactures. The main point here is to use the correct brake fluid according to what your manufacture suggests. Go to your local bike shop and see one of the bike mechanics there. They can point you in the right direction for what brake fluid to use for your specific bike.

Brake fluid is a rarely used bike lubrication and cleaning product, because the disc brake system on your bike is a sealed system that generally requires no maintenance. If you do notice that your discs pads seem to not be operating properly, then you can check to see if your fluid is low. You will have go to a bike shop for bike repair and maintanence because most disc brake systems for bikes require specialized tools and knowledge to work on. It’s something that can’t be done in the field. A common saying about bike brake systems is that caliper brakes fail often, but not completely, while discs brake system rarely fail, but when they do, they fail completely.

What It’s For

Brake fluid is pumped from a small reservoir to the brake pad area, where it compresses the disc pads against the disc rotor, which then stops the bike. Brake fluid generally works at all temperatures and provides a means to get rid of friction and heat that is being created as the brake discs pads are being squeezed against the rotor. If your brake fluid has broken down somehow or became contaminated, then the discs pads or rotor can overheat and possibly crack or become warped.

Major Manufacturers

Finish Line, Shimano, Bikehut, Hayes.

Pricing

Bike brake fluids can range in price from about $7.99 to about $14.99.