Within any powered vehicle there are a number of brake parts.

These always comprise a frictional component called a disc pad and an opposing surface known as a brake disc or rotor. The other essential part is the brake parts which actually apply pressure behind the disc pads and oblige them to act on the brake disc or brake rotor.

All brake parts have to function properly and require intermittent service and monitoring for the safety of the user.

The most important brake parts are without doubt the disc pads themselves because without those, there would just be no stopping power, whereas the condition of the caliper and disc are to some degree less important.

You have to consider the speed and use of the vehicle when you decide whether certain brake parts need replacing and this is done at the vehicle service, any good technician servicing a vehicle will check all brake parts such as brake fluid levels, pad wear and rotor condition and the general operating condition of all brake parts in the system.

There are two types of brake caliper used in modern vehicles , one type is actuated with hydraulics and some recent brake systems for mountain bikes have cable operated brakes. The hydraulic calipers tend to possess more power than the cable ones and are more efficient in that the moving parts of the hydraulic system require less effort and generally produce a better mechanical advantage requiring less braking effort from the operator.

It is always advisable to ask at a motor vehicle service for the technician to check over the brake parts and replace or adjust as necessary. Failures of a brake system can be dangerous and costly.

One Company which has made great progress in its manufacturing of brake parts in recent years is the UK factory of EBC Brakes. With over 70 years of pedigree EBC produce the worlds largest range of brake parts including disc pads and brake rotors for everything from a mountain bike to a Military tank.