Anyone who has fitted disc brakes will be familiar with the traditional method: loosening the brake caliper bolts, pulling the brake lever and then retightening the bolts. In practice, however, this procedure does not always produce a perfect result. When tightening the bolts, slight misalignments can occur, meaning that the brake caliper is not positioned exactly centred over the brake disc. The consequences are well known:
- Grinding noises
- Uneven tyre wear
- Unresponsive braking feel
With the new Brake Caliper Aligner Tool ZINE adopts a mechanical approach designed to minimise this source of error.
Conclusion from the editor’s perspective
It’s really only a minor problem. But a grinding brake disc can be as annoying as a mosquito buzzing around your bedroom at night – at some point, it’s all you can hear. A disc brake that’s even slightly out of alignment can spoil even the best ride with constant grinding and poor braking feel. The new ZINE Brake Caliper Aligner Tool tackles this very issue and takes an approach that’s as simple as it is straightforward. Instead of relying on a rough estimate or the classic brake-lever trick, centring is achieved via a defined mechanical guide. At just under 15 euros, this tool could really be of interest to any amateur mechanic who regularly works on their bikes. Stefan Frey, BIKE editor
Direct centring in the brake caliper
The tool is inserted from above into the open brake caliper housing. Thanks to the precise guide, the brake caliper aligns exactly with the brake disc before the fixing bolts are tightened. The aim is to achieve a symmetrical gap between the brake pads and the disc. This ensures that the rotor runs freely and minimises grinding noises.
Plastic instead of metal
The choice of material is interesting. Whilst many workshop tools are made of aluminium or steel, ZINE uses a specially developed PA composite material. The advantage is that this helps prevent scratches or damage when the tool comes into contact with the brake disc. At the same time, the tool remains light yet robust enough to take with you on a cycling holiday.
Available for various braking systems
As brake callipers have different geometries and internal dimensions depending on the manufacturer, ZINE has not designed the CA series as a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, there are specific variants for numerous braking systems, including models from:
- Shimano
- SRAM
- TRP
Both two-piston and four-piston brakes are supported.
Part of the Better Brakes system
With the new Brake Caliper Aligner Tool, ZINE is expanding its existing Better Brakes System, which already comprises a range of tools for the maintenance and optimisation of hydraulic disc brakes. The new Caliper Aligner thus complements the existing bleeding and service tools and is aimed primarily at keen DIY mechanics, garages and riders who value a perfectly functioning braking system.
Key features & price
- Tool for aligning disc brake calipers
- Suitable for MTBs, gravel bikes and road bikes
- Mechanical centring of the brake caliper
- PA composite material for protecting the brake disc
- Available for various brands, such as Shimano, SRAM and TRP brakes
- Available for two- and four-piston brake calipers
- Price: 14.90 euros
Conclusion from the editor’s perspective
It’s really just a minor issue. But a grinding brake disc can be as annoying as a mosquito buzzing around your bedroom at night – at some point, it’s all you can hear. A disc brake that’s even slightly out of alignment can spoil even the best ride with constant grinding and poor braking feel.
The new ZINE Brake Caliper Aligner Tool tackles this exact issue and takes an approach that’s as simple as it is straightforward. Instead of relying on a visual estimate or the classic brake-lever trick, centring is achieved via a defined mechanical guide. At just under 15 euros, this tool could be of real interest to any DIY mechanic who regularly works on their bikes. Stefan Frey, BIKE editor
Stefan Frey
Editor