Breaking In Tires And Brake Pads

We Keep You Cycling definitely recommends breaking in all your cycling goods prior to doing any racing, long or aggressive rides, and always before doing any kind of group rides. This will help reduce the chance of any injury to yourself or those you ride with.

It is not recommended that you race or ride unusually aggressively on a new set of tires. Riding 60 to 70 miles on a set of new tires will help to wear off the protective coating exposing the sticker compound below. This coating was primarily designed to protect the tires in the manufacturing process and helps to prolong shelf life of the tire, ensuring the tires do not dry out on their way to you or your local vendor. The same can be found on tubulars and tires, such as the Continental Sprinter, Veloflex Black, and any other tubular.

For brake pads the same principle can be applied, say on a set of Swiss Stop Brake pads. Remember to always drag your brakes slightly on the first use and do not expect 100 percent stopping power when brake pads are new. Alternatively you can take a light piece of sand paper to the brake pad prior to its installation, this will help remove the manufacturers protective coating and expose the best part of the brake pad.