What is an Electric Scooter Disc Brake and How Does It Work?

When you buy an electric scooter online, many consider safety as a priority. Electric scooter brakes are one of the e-scooter parts that keep you safe on the road. Using good brakes will help prevent accidents and collisions.

The best electric scooters for adults use disc brakes to provide strong braking power whenever you stop. Electric scooter disc brakes offer one of the safest types of brakes used in e-scooters and other vehicles. Learn more about disc brakes, how it works, and why you should use them.

What is an Electric Scooter Disc Brake?

Disc brakes are a type of brake that use a rotor and calliper to stop the wheels from turning. These are considered the safest e-scooter brakes due to their strong braking power for both dry and wet conditions. You can find disc brakes on commuter and high-performance electric scooters, such as the Mearth GTS Series and Mearth RS Series.

Three Kinds of Disc Brakes

• Cable-controlled Disc Brakes

Cable-controlled disc brakes are the most common type of disc brake. It uses a cable to engage the calliper. Pulling the handbrake shortens the cable, which causes the brake pads to pinch and stop the rotor. Note that you might feel resistance when using cable-controlled disc brakes since there’s usually more friction.

• Semi-hydraulic brakes

Semi-hydraulic brakes use a cable instead of a hydraulic line. It runs from the brake lever to the calliper and engages the hydraulic piston. It offers decent and consistent braking power.

• Hydraulic Brakes

This disc brake for scooters uses fluid-filled (hydraulic) lines to engage the callipers. Using the brake lever increases the pressure in the hydraulic lines, causing the piston to move and squeeze the rotor. It offers the best control over the other types of disc brakes, as it provides strong and consistent braking power.

How Does an Electric Scooter Disc Brake Work?

A disc brake uses a rotor or metal disc that is attached to the e-scooter’s wheel. Squeezing the handbrake activates the calliper beside the rotor and pinches the rotor using the brake pads. It creates friction, causing the rotor and the wheel to slow down and stop.

Parts of an Electric Scooter Disc Brake System

• Rotor
  A rotor is a metal disc with 2mm or 3mm thickness attached to the wheel hub. The calliper stops the rotor to safely and effectively stop the wheel.
  
  
• Brake Calliper

A brake calliper is one of the most significant electric scooter brake parts of a disc brake system. It makes the wheel slow down or stop once you engage the brake lever. The calliper includes a brake pad and piston.

• Brake Pad

A brake pad is made of steel backing plates with additional material, like steel wool, wire, or copper. It lies between the rotor and calliper to reduce the friction between the two parts. Replace these pads when you hear a screeching sound since it wears down over time.

• Brake Piston

The piston enables the brake pads to touch the disc brake to slow down the wheels. These are usually made from plastic, steel, or aluminium.

When to Adjust the Brakes

Adjust brake pads every six to eight months to ensure consistent and strong braking power. Also, adjust them when you feel it has less stopping power or hear a scraping sound. When this happens, it means that your brakes may be too tight or too loose.

Reach out to a professional mechanic in case of an electric scooter brake repair. You may also check out our guide on how to repair loose mechanical disc brakes. 

The Pros and Cons of Using a Disc Brake

Disc brakes offer the best type of brakes to use on electric scooters. However, consider the following benefits and downsides to know if you should get one.

Pros

• Provides strong braking power
• Weighs lighter than other braking systems
• Adjusts easily 
• Enables easy maintenance
• Performs well in any environment
• Allows excellent braking control

Cons

• Requires occasional adjustments and maintenance for some parts
• Increases cost of owning an e-scooter slightly
• Diminishes performance when used in poor or rough riding conditions

Should You Buy an Electric Scooter with Disc Brakes?

Electric scooter disc brakes offer more braking power and control, allowing riders to slow down or stop while riding. Moreover, it doesn’t lose its stopping power even in wet conditions, making them a safe choice for riders travelling through different terrains. Plus, this type of brake is easy to adjust, upgrade, or replace in case of damages.

The Mearth RS Series offers one of the best braking systems in the market, thanks to its front and rear disc brakes. Plus, it includes an anti-lock electric brake and a rear foot brake for extra braking options. Overall, it gives plenty of safety features to help you control your trips and ride safely on the road.

Hopefully, this electric scooter guide on disc brakes helped you learn more about them and decide on which e-scooter to guide. Check out Mearth’s blogs for more e-scooter, guides, tips, and news.