Repairing bike brakes at home is always less expensive than going to a shop since you only pay for the part you need. However, most riders opt to go pro because there are advantages to having someone with hundreds of hours of experience work on your brakes.
After all, proper brake installation can save your life. How much does it cost to fix bike brakes?
It costs as little as $15 for a single brake adjustment but fixing an internal cable line can cost over $70. However, after you buy the parts, a full replacement should run around $30 to $60 whether you have mechanical or hydraulic brakes on your bicycle. The cost is determined by the complexity of the repair, plus parts and labor.
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How Much Does It Cost To Repair Bike Brakes
Your brake repair cost depends on what part or parts you need fixed. Most repairs involve replacing a worn or broken piece, but fortunately, you don’t necessarily need to replace the entire brake.
That said, ‘fixing’ part of a brake is still a slight misnomer because it wouldn’t be safe to fuse a broken brake pad back together or otherwise try to rebuild pieces.
The reworked pats would never have the stability of the originals and could risk your safety.
Brake Repairs Average Cost
| Type of Repair | Typical Fee |
| Adjust Single Brake | $15-25 |
| Bleed Hydraulic Brake | $35-45 |
| Cable Installation | $20-35 |
| Cable Installation (Internal) | $30-70 |
| Calliper Installation | $20-40 |
| Calliper Installation (Road Bike) | $30-45 |
| Hydraulic Disc Brake Installation (Single) | $40-60 |
| Mechanical Disc Brake Installation (Single) | $30-40 |
| Brake Line Installation | $40-60 |
| Disc Brake Pads Installation | $30-40 |
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Disc Brakes On A Bike
There are two types of disc brakes, and they are known for their strength.
Mechanical disc brakes are less expensive to fix and usually run less than $40. Meanwhile, a hydraulic disc brake costs around $10 more, but the exact fee will always vary based on the cost of living in your area and other non-bike-related factors.
According to Trek Bikes South Carolina, “Disc brakes are more powerful than V-brakes and require less hand strength to operate. They are heavier though. They are not a “rim-brake” as they do not clamp the rim but rather to a hub-fixed “rotor”… These brakes are great for fast descents on off-road trails. They can handle high heat without damaging the tire by heating up the rim as “rim-brakes” do.”
How Much To Fix Hydraulic Brakes On A Bike
You can often fix a failing hydraulic brake with a simple bleed. Replacing the brake fluid, whether synthetic or mineral oil, removes the air bubbles that build up naturally.
Unfortunately, those air pockets can harbor moisture, cause rust and create other issues that prevent your brakes from working correctly.
Once there’s rust inside hydraulic brakes, you’ll need to replace any rusty parts completely.
You can expect to pay $35 or more to have a professional at a shop handle a hydraulic brake bleed for you.
If you chose to do it at home, it would still cost around $30, so you don’t save much by working for yourself on that type of fix.
It’s also worth mentioning that hydraulic brakes are a type of disc brakes, but they’re more high-tech and slightly more expensive than their mechanical counterparts.
If your hydraulic brake problem isn’t fixable with new fluid, you may need to replace the pads or the brake itself.
The fee for either of those services is around $35 at most shops. However, you should always factor in the cost of the parts separate from repairs.
For example, if you have SRAM disc brakes, you will need pads compatible with that brand.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Brakes
Entirely replacing your brakes will have two costs. First, the brakes you choose to use on your bike aren’t free.
Brakes can run from around $40 to over $150 each. When paying for the mechanics’ service, you still have to purchase the parts you need just as you would at an auto shop.
Shimano, one of the most popular brands of brakes, has disc brakes for around $150 apiece.
Once you have the parts you need, you can either DIY, which is free but not guaranteed, or go to a pro.
Bike shops charge a service fee, which is usually nominal, around $10, plus hourly for the mechanic at approximately $100 per hour. Fortunately, it doesn’t usually take the full hour to swap out brakes.
Types of Bicycle Brakes
There are several types of bicycle brakes. Although disc brakes are considered the strongest and often preferred, I will briefly explain the other types.
It is essential to know what kind of brakes your bike uses to replace them. Even when you trust all the work to a shop, you should still learn the names of your parts so you can discuss them with your mechanic.
- Caliper brakes clamp down on the metal rim of your tires.
- Cantilever brakes work the same way as caliper brakes, but they have more stopping power. The tradeoff is that these brakes are more prominent, weigh more, and are more high profile.
- Linear Pull or V-brakes are interchangeable with the previous two styles. The main difference is the side pull.
- Coaster brakes are activated by pushing backward on your pedals. These brakes are an installable chan, and they are the easiest to maintain. You may be familiar with coaster brakes on children’s bikes, but you can install them on adult bicycles as well, and they are popular among single-speed and beach cruiser fans.
How Much Do Halfords Charge To Fix Bike Brakes
If you live in the UK, you’ve probably been to Halfords before. This incredible automotive and cycling shop is everywhere, with over 700 locations serving up to 750,000 people a year.
However, if they don’t have a shop near you, it’s not a problem because Halfords offers mobile service and delivery options.
You can get parts and repairs for your bike (or car) all over the UK with one simple call. Alternately, you can always book and buy online.
Below I’ve made a chart of their essential brake services and fees for easy reference. The list below are the available services, but I recommend calling in advance and discussing it in person if you need something not listed here.
Halfords Brake Repairs
| Service Offered | Cost |
| Cable Brake Service | £20 |
| Hydraulic Brake Bleed Service | £30 |
| Brake Pad Fit | £10 |
| Brake Lever Fit | £20 |
Helpful Tips To Know About How Much It Costs To Fix Bike Brakes
Fixing the brakes on your bike is an essential repair that you should always handle as soon as possible. Riding without proper brakes is dangerous.
Here are more helpful tips to know about how much it costs to fix bike brakes.
- The more complex your brakes, the more likely they are to have a critical failure. The tradeoff for good technology is that every added part is a potential weak spot. If you want the best brakes, you have to take excellent care of them.
- Knowing when to change your brakes is vital, but unfortunately, there is no set answer. As Active points out, “Both rim and disc brakes wear at different rates depending on the conditions and task at hand. As mentioned above, always check your brake pads at least once a month to see if they need to be replaced. Weather can change how often you should check (and replace) your pads.”
- Every bicyclist should learn how to bleed speed and crash safely. Hopefully, you’ll never have to worry about your brakes because you take good care of them, but if anything goes wrong, learning to slow, stop or fall without using brakes can prevent injuries.
Final Thoughts
Fixing your brakes is vital for every rider’s safety and bicycle maintenance.
Naturally, if you can repair them at home, you only need to pay for the parts, but most riders use a shop because the pros there have hundreds or thousands of hours of experience fixing brakes, and it’s worth paying for a bike mechanic’s time.
Usually, the shop fees are around $10, and mechanics charge $90 to $100 per hour plus parts, but it won’t take an hour to make repairs.
