08
8.. What to bear in mind when
braking with carbon wheels
There are some special features with carbon
braking surfaces.
The brake surfaces of carbon rims are sen-
sitive to high temperatures. Therefore, when
you are riding in the mountains, avoid any
drag braking. Riding downhill, for example
with a permanently activated rear wheel
brake, may heat up the material and thus
lead to a deformation. The rim may suffer
serious damage, the tire might burst, thus
causing an accident.
Always use both brakes simultaneously and
release them regularly to allow the material
to cool down.
Adapt your driving behaviour to the
particularities of braking on carbon
material, in particular in the mountains.
Check the condition of the brake
pads at short intervals, as they wear
down faster than with aluminium rims.
Note that your bike‘s braking power
is greatly reduced in wet conditions.
Avoid, as far as possible, to ride on your
bike in damp weather or with imminent
rain. If you ride, nevertheless, on wet or
moist roads, be particularly anticipatory
and do not ride as fast as under dry condi-
tions.
8. Special characteristics of carbon
Only use brake pads that are suitable for
carbon wheels. It is always advisable to use
the brake pads of the wheel manufacturer.
Carbon brake pads usually wear down faster
than conventional brake pads.
Keep in mind that the braking response of
the rims needs getting used to, in particular
under wet conditions. Test your brakes in an
area free of traffic until you have full control
of your bike.
