Mountain bikes were developed in the United States in the mid-20th century. Their sturdy frames and strengthened components make them more durable than road bikes on unpaved courses. Many mountain bike courses feature sharp turns, steep inclines and obstacles such as fallen tree branches. It is common for mountain bikers to lean heavily on their brakes in a pinch to try to avoid falling. Because of the high reliance on brakes, it is a serious issue if your rear brakes fall into disrepair.
Proper Braking Technique
There are two ways to brake hard on a bike: one that gets you bucked off and one that doesn't. Mountain bikes have independent brakes on the front and rear wheels, but how you use them matters. If a rider slams hard on his front brakes while riding at a fast clip, he is likely to be pitched over his front wheel and off the bike. The rear-wheel brakes don't work as quickly as the front tires, but they are safer and should be the first option. Although it is a safer method, using the rear brakes first also causes them to wear out quicker.
Brake Pad Life
The longevity of your brake pads depends on how you use them. It could be a few months or a few years. More aggressive riders tend to wear out their brakes quicker because the braking is more intense. In general, you should inspect your brake pads as they start to wear down over time and try to replace them before they diminish to the metal brackets holding them.
Improper Brake Settings
Two common errors can occur on brakes, causing them to become less effective. One is a loss of tension on the brake cable. This may occur over time and it will keep you from constricting your brakes around the tire rim beyond a certain strength. Another problem is a misaligned brake, which can catch the sidewall of the tire or simply fail to place the entire pad on the rim, reducing the friction and possibly damaging your tire.
Making Fixes
Most fixes to rear brakes can be done at home, unless you have some technical problems with more advanced forms of brakes, such as hydraulic discs. Brake cables are easily tightened with a wrench and pair of pliers. Brakes can also be realigned onto the rims, and replacing the brakes is often easy and requires only a wrench. In some cases, such as crooked brake pads, you may need to take your bike to an expert to have the brake forks or other components looked at and fixed.
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