Overview

This hands-on workshop by Bower Bikes is designed to help riders understand, inspect, and adjust their bicycle brake systems for safe and reliable performance. In just 2 hours, participants will gain practical experience with rim and disc brakes, including mechanical and hydraulic systems. Held at The Bower's Summer Hill workshop, the session blends theory, demonstration, and guided practice.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet in Summer Hill, NSW. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Who is this workshop for?

Beginner to intermediate riders who want to learn how their bike’s brakes work.

Commuters and recreational cyclists looking to improve braking performance and safety.

DIY bike enthusiasts interested in gaining hands-on experience with brake maintenance.

Anyone curious about how to fix brake squeal, poor stopping power, or rubbing pads.

No prior mechanical experience is required—just bring your bike (or use one provided) and a willingness to learn.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this 2.5 hour workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify key components of rim and disc brake systems.

Understand how braking works and how force is transferred.

Diagnose common brake issues such as squealing, rubbing, and weak braking.

Use essential bike tools safely and effectively for brake inspection and adjustment.

Adjust rim brakes for pad alignment, cable tension, and arm centering.

Adjust mechanical disc brakes for pad clearance, caliper centering, and cable tension.

Perform basic maintenance on hydraulic disc brakes including pad replacement and rotor alignment.

Build confidence in hands-on bike maintenance through guided practice and peer learning.

Workshop Modules

Module 1: Welcome & Safety (0:00 – 0:15)

Acknowledgement of Country

Workshop overview and facilitator introduction

Participant introductions

Safety briefing: tools, PPE, and workspace awareness

Module 2: Brake System Basics (0:15 – 0:45)

Overview of brake types: rim vs disc, mechanical vs hydraulic

Anatomy of brake systems

Inspection checklist and common issues

Module 3: Rim Brake Adjustment (0:45 – 1:15)

Pad alignment and toe-in

Cable tension and lever feel

Centering brake arms

Hands-on practice

Module 4: Mechanical Disc Brake Adjustment (1:15 – 1:45)

Pad clearance and caliper centering

Cable tension and rotor rub

Hands-on practice and troubleshooting

Module 5: Hydraulic Brake Overview & Maintenance (1:45 – 2:15)

How hydraulic systems work

Common issues and maintenance tips

Pad replacement and rotor alignment

Module 6: Wrap-Up & Q&A (2:00 – 2:30)

Recap of key concepts

Final questions and discussion

Resources for further learning

Feedback and workshop close

Location

SUMMER HILL

Inner West Sustainability Hub, 7 Prospect Road, Summer Hill NSW 2130

Transportation and parking
Bower is located within 8-minute walking distance of Summer Hill/ Ashfield, Train Station. Parking is available on site or of the street.