WELCOME GUIDE
EASY MAINTENANCE
A little goes a long way. Whether you work on your own bike or take it to your local shop, let’s learn what to check on your Force brakes and drivetrain.
BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR OPTIONS AND REPLACEMENT
Brake pads and rotors only take a minute to check every few rides. Conditions and pad compound will affect overall pad life. Grit and grime between the braking surfaces will accelerate wear. Replace brake pads if the total thickness of pad and backing are thinner than 3mm and replace rotors when they measure 1.55mm thick, or less.
All Force AXS brakes ship with organic pads for the best modulation and quietest braking. Metal sintered pads are a great option for riders in gritty and wet conditions where organic pads may wear more quickly. If you change pad compounds, change the rotors at the same time to prevent noise and ensure the best brake performance.
Force AXS brakes are compatible with any series of SRAM road rotor: CenterLine, Centerline X, and Paceline.
TECH TIP: When replacing rotors, replace the pads as well. Then perform the brake bed-in procedure to gain the most stopping power, reduced brake noise, and long-lasting performance. Avoid handling pads and rotors with bare hands to prevent contamination of the braking surface and only clean with isopropyl alcohol.
CHAIN CHECK
Replacing your chain when it’s worn will maximize the lifespan of your cassette and chainring(s). Use approved tools to measure wear and replace at 0.8%.
TECH TIP: Sizing your new chain correctly improves shifting and chain retention.
BRAKE BLEED
Brake bleeds refresh the DOT brake fluid in your system. We recommend bleeding brakes once a year to ensure any air or moisture in the system is purged, keeping the boiling point at its maximum.
TECH TIP: Using a fresh bottle of DOT 5.1 brake fluid will provide the best results. DOT 5.1 is regulated and can be found at most car, motorcycle, or bike shops.
CASSETTE REPLACEMENT
Cassettes usually last the life of three chains, or more, if the chains are replaced before they’re fully worn. While there aren’t tools to measure cassette wear, a simple sign that it’s time to replace a cassette occurs when a new chain is installed and skips under pedal load.
CHAINRING REPLACEMENT
AXS chainrings last twice as long as traditional chainrings, especially when chains are replaced on time.