Tested: BBB DiscDoctor

Disc brakes on road bikes are here to stay, with most bike manufacturers moving to the braking system, so home mechanics need the tools to repair them. We take a look at a multi-tool for discs.

As disc brakes become increasingly popular on road bikes, home mechanics need to know how to maintain them and require specific tools to do so.

In a bike retailer workshop, you might find six different tools to do the job the BBB DiscDoctor does, but in a home workshop, a multi-tool can be a great option.

The DiscDoctor covers six functions that home mechanics may need in their workshop.

We put each of them to the test in a home workshop on several disc brake bikes and found each function simple and effective to use.

Rotor wear gauge

The gauge features five different slots that accommodate the most popular brands of disc brake rotors, and it effectively confirmed that the rotors we tested were still the correct thickness.

Brake pad wear gauge

This is a simple notch at the top of the tool that easily identifies if brake pads are worn and need replacing by measuring their thickness. This takes the guesswork out of relying on appearance alone.

Piston spreader

We’re sure most riders have accidentally pulled their brake lever while the wheel was off and, as a result, snapped the brake pads together. This handy tool which is the right shape and dimension for the job, makes it easy to spread the pistons apart and return them to the correct position.

Caliper alignment

This part of the tool is made of very thin aluminium to fit in between the rotor and the brake pads when setting caliper alignment. It’s a simple, yet handy, item that stores well on the multi-tool, so you’ll always know where to find it.

Rotor truing

In our workshop we previously used a shifting spanner for this job but the rotor truing slot makes it easier to true up a bent rotor, and avoids further bending it out of shape.

Valve core tool

While not directly related to disc brakes, the valve core tool is handy for tightening the valve core of an inner tube or a tubeless setup.

With a recommended retail price of $49.99, the BBB DiscDoctor tool offers good value for its ability to cover six workshop jobs. 

More info bbbcycling.com