The most common Super 73 brake issues - fade, squeal, spongy lever, uneven pads - and how to fix each one on S2, RX, and ZX models.
Super 73s are heavy and quick, and the stock hydraulic disc brakes have a hard job. If you ride the coastal hills of North County San Diego, here are the brake issues we see and how to fix them.
Stock resin pads glaze after a few big descents. The lever feels fine but the bike barely slows. Fix: swap to sintered metallic pads and bed them in with 10 gradual stops from 15 mph.
Usually contaminated pads (chain lube, degreaser, or salt spray). Sand the pad surface lightly, clean the rotor with isopropyl alcohol, and bed them in again. If it comes back, the pads are done.
Air in the hydraulic line. Common after a hard drop or shipping. A full brake bleed with Super 73 spec mineral oil takes about 30 minutes per caliper.
Pads are worn past service limit or there's a fluid leak. Do not ride. Replace pads first, then bleed. If it still pulls to the bar, the master cylinder or hose has a leak.
Bent rotor from a rack strap or a fall. Straighten with a rotor truing tool. If the pulse persists, replace the rotor - trying to ride a bent rotor destroys pads fast.
Caliper alignment is off. Loosen the caliper mounting bolts, squeeze the brake hard, retighten while held. Fixes 90% of uneven wear.
Salt air in Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Cardiff eats brake hardware. A freshwater rinse after coastal rides and a light wipe of the pistons every few weeks doubles pad life.
We carry sintered Super 73 pads and mineral oil on the van. Full brake service including pads, bleed, and rotor truing runs $85 to $130 - and we come to your driveway.
Coastline Fix is North County San Diego's mobile eBike mechanic. We come to you - same-day or next-day.