HOW DO I STOP MY NEW PADS FROM RUBBING ON ONE SIDE?

The solution here is to make sure the rotor is straight, and centered between both pads. Here's how to fix it:

Loosen brake caliper bolts and squeeze brake lever multiple times.

After squeezing the lever multiple times, squeeze and hold the brake lever.

While holding the brake lever, retighten caliper bolts to the frame/fork.

Note: You may need to manually move one side of the brake caliper to assist in centering the caliper and rotor(a flashlight shining from the bottom of the caliper may assist in this).

HOW DO I STOP MY NEW PADS FROM RUBBING ON BOTH SIDES?

Similar to the previous FAQ, make sure the rotor is straight. And, make sure the pistons have been reset. Here's how to reset your caliper pistons:

Using a piston press/pad spreader/clean tire lever: Insert tool in between pads and push each side back as far as they go into the caliper by either twisting the tool back and forth, or by using it as a fulcrum.

Loosen both brake caliper bolts attaching it to the frame or fork.

Squeeze brake lever multiple times to advance pad and pistons until they start touching the rotor.

Once the pads start touching the rotor, squeeze the lever and hold.

While holding the lever, retighten brake caliper bolts attaching the caliper to the frame/fork.

HOW DO I PREVENT NOISY BRAKE PADS?

Brake noise is usually caused by contamination (i.e. dirt, lubricants, sunscreen) on the pads and/or rotor.

Make sure that the pads and rotor have no oils or contaminants on them.

You can clean the pads and rotor with 90% or higher rubbing alcohol and a clean lint free towel or cloth (blue paper shop towels work best for this).

Also make sure you follow the proper bed in process as noted in How To: Bed In Your New Kogel Brake Pads

WHAT IS CAUSING MY BRAKE LEVER TO PULL TO PULL THE BAR

If you've installed your brake pads and now your lever pulls completely to the bar after a few squeezes, your brake lines may have sucked in some air or water and now they may need to be bled.

If it has been more than a year there is a chance there could be excess air or water that has now made its way into the system.

We always recommend flushing your brake fluid once a year to flush out contaminants and keep your brakes performing optimally.

Similarly, if you installed new brake pads but now the lever does not have a consistent stopping point or “bite” point, this could also be an indication that your brakes need to be bled or flushed.

WHY DOES MY BRAKE LEVER FEEL JERKY WHEN I SQUEEZE THE BRAKE LEVER

Uneven brake lever feel is often directly tied to a bent or out-of-shape brake rotor.

Inspect the rotor and make sure it is nice and straight. If there is a spot on the rotor that is bent or twisted this will cause the brake pad to “grab” the rotor at this point.

Also make sure that the rotor lock ring and/or bolts are properly torqued to spec(please refer to rotor mfg for torque specs).

A loose rotor also can cause vibrations and or a pulsing vibration throughout the bike and handlebars.

WHY ARE MY BRAKES MAKING A GRINDING/SCRAPING NOISE WHEN I SQUEEZE THE LEVER?

A scratching, scraping or grinding noise is a good sign your brake pads are either really dirty OR it's time to replace them.

To find out, remove the wheels from the bike and inspect the pads. There should be at least 1mm of pad left or 2.5mm of the brake pad backplate and pad combined.

If there is any less than both of these, replace pads before your next ride.