Vent: People keep using disc brake cleaner on rim brakes and it drives me nuts

I saw a guy at a group ride last Saturday spraying disc brake cleaner all over his carbon rims. That stuff is not for braking surfaces on rim brakes, it can make them slick or even damage the resin in some pads. I had to tell him to stop before he ruined his whole setup. It took me about 15 minutes to explain the difference and find him some isopropyl alcohol instead. Has anyone else run into this mix up or is it just me getting old and cranky?

3 comments

3 Comments

hall.joel28d agoMost Upvoted

it took me about 15 minutes to explain the difference" - yeah thats because you were probably overcomplicating it dude. disc brake cleaner is just a strong degreaser, its not gonna melt carbon rims or ruin pads unless you let it soak in forever. i've used it on rim brakes plenty of times when i ran out of iso and never had a problem. people freak out over nothing. your buddy was probably fine, you just gave him a lecture he didnt need.

gibson.avery28d ago

Ever actually tested it side by side with proper stuff to see if it really is the same?

the_linda28d ago

Wait, does that mean you've actually done a side by side test with ISO and disc cleaner on the same pads to see if the stopping power feels different?