The more you know, the more fun customizing your bike gets! Customization Q&A (Brakes) - Webike Magazine (2024)

Customization lets you create a bike to your own personal specifications. The installation of functional parts, such as those used in racing machines, will improve performance and get you fired up! But, are they really making a difference? If you don't ride fast, do you really need them? Let's get some answers to these questions in order to enjoy customization to the fullest!

For modern bikes, you won't have a critical lack of braking power, but conversely, you might hesitate to brake hard. The brake system is made up of many components, so where do you start when you want to customize?

Q: I'm not having trouble with the brakes, so what's the point of customization?

A: Customization can improve ease of handling and control.

Unless your bike is very old, you are probably satisfied with the braking power when riding around town or touring. However, there are many riders who wish they could handle their brakes better. In fact, the most important aspect of braking is "controllability". No matter how powerful the brakes are, they are meaningless if the rider cannot control the braking action as desired. In fact, it is not uncommon for a rider to say, "I'm worried that the brakes will be stronger than I expect, so I don't apply them too hard." Conversely, if the brake system is controllable, the rider can apply the brakes more forcefully without anxiety, resulting in higher braking power.

This is where customization comes in. But there are a wide variety of parts that make up the brake system, so where do we start? First of all, the master cylinder may be a good choice in terms of making a big difference in the operating feel. If your bike is a little older, you will be surprised at how much wider the range of lever control will be just by replacing the conventional parallel mounted master cylinder with a radial one. For the latest supersport bikes, they are already equipped with high quality components, such as Brembo, straight from the factory, so a good customization idea would be to replace the brake pads to find the feeling you like.

■No matter how powerful the brakes are, if they cannot be controlled in the way that the rider envisions, they will not perform to their full potential. In addition to absolute braking power, the most important thing is to obtain an operating feel that suits you.

[Master Cylinders] Q: What are the advantages of a radial master cylinder?

A: Increased control as well as braking power!

Both the latest radial master cylinders and the conventional parallel-mounted master cylinders have the same internal structure, which uses a syringe-like pump to generate pressure (if the diameter is the same, the braking force will also be the same). However, due to the placement of the pump and the shape of the lever, a radial master cylinder has the advantage of a larger lever ratio, which allows for a greater range of control by lengthening the lever play. The easier it is to control, the more force can be applied without worry, and as a result, stronger braking power can be exerted. In recent years, some radial master cylinders allow the lever ratio to be changed, making it easier to find your desired feel.

Some radial master cylinders allow the lever ratio to be changed by changing the distance from the point of action to the fulcrum, allowing the user to choose between a click and a pull feel.

[Calipers] Q: What is so good about those monoblocks that everyone is talking about?

A: High rigidity directly affects operability.

In the case of opposed-piston calipers, in which the pads are pressed against the disc rotor from both sides, the left and right parts are conventionally made separately and bolted together. However, for the hard braking necessary in GP and other full-scale races, the calipers can spread slightly to the left and right, allowing braking force to escape. To solve this problem, a "monoblock caliper" is machined as one piece from a large block of aluminum using a special machine. Because of its superior strength and rigidity, the caliper does not spread even under hard braking conditions, resulting in strong braking power and a direct feel.

In addition to the high rigidity of the monoblock structure, recently, radial mounting to the front fork is used to suppress twisting of the caliper when braking, resulting in high braking power and controllability.

[Pads] Q: What changes if I use an aftermarket pad?

A: Some work quickly and some are more effective towards the end.

Brake pads are essentially consumables. However, since recent brake pads have a long life span, many riders have never had their pads replaced. But brake pads, like tires, directly affect ride quality, so it is recommended to regard them as "tuning parts". Brake feel varies so much depending on the pads. For example, some brake pads are more effective when you first start applying the brakes, while others are more effective after the lever is pulled in. Since this is a rider's personal preference, we recommend referring to the product descriptions and customer reviews when making your choice.

No matter which pads you choose, braking power itself should be sufficient. However, please note that once the remaining pad thickness drops below 1mm (the thickness at which bike manufacturers recommend replacement), not only the feel, but also the braking force will drop dramatically!

[Disc Rotors] Q: Why are there so many different shapes, thicknesses, and mounting methods?

A: It makes a difference in touch, rigidity, and many other aspects.

The majority of stock discs on current production models, as well as aftermarket replacements, are made of stainless steel. However, aftermarket discs are available in a variety of thicknesses and with unique hole and trench configurations. In addition, on-road sport bikes are usually equipped with floating discs with a separate inner and outer rotor, but the structure of how those rotors attach together varies. The differences in these structures affect brake feel more than one might imagine. The aforementioned stainless steel material can also produce greatly varied braking performance depending on the temperature and length of heat treatment at the time of manufacture.

Floating discs are the norm for on-road sport bikes. The brake feeling varies greatly depending on the connection method between the inner and outer rotors, the thickness of the disc, as well as the type of heat treatment during manufacturing.