How Do Hydraulic Disc Brakes Work on a Mountain Bike? A Complete Guide
Hydraulic disc brakes on mountain bikes work by utilizing fluid pressure to actuate the brake caliper and clamp the brake pads onto the rotor. When the brake lever is squeezed, it activates a plunger within the brake lever’s master cylinder. This plunger pushes hydraulic fluid down through hoses and into the brake caliper’s slave cylinder. The slave cylinder contains a piston which, when the hydraulic fluid is pressurized, will push the brake pads against the rotor, causing the bike to slow down or stop. When the brake lever is released, the fluid pressure is released, and the brake pads retract from the rotor.