caliper brake

device

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

brake caliper Auto mechanic repairing a brake caliper.

A caliper brake is a device used to slow or stop motion, primarily on bicycles. It functions by pressing brake pads against the sides of a rotating wheel or disc. This action creates friction, which converts kinetic energy into heat, thereby reducing the wheel's speed.123

The term "caliper" itself originates from a measuring instrument with adjustable legs or jaws. Early caliper brakes, appearing in the 1880s for penny-farthing bicycles, consisted of two arms that would pinch the tire or wheel. Modern caliper brakes are typically cable-actuated and are a common type of bicycle brake.432

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bicycle
Brakes
Caliper brakes squeeze two pads against the sides of the rim. Drum brakes that force two arcs of friction material against the inside of a steel drum on the hub are less common. Disc brakes have been designed for mountain bikes. They squeeze against a…
Read More
Caliper brakes squeeze two pads against the sides of the rim. Drum brakes that force two arcs of friction material against the inside of a steel drum on the hub are less common. Disc brakes have been designed for mountain bikes. They squeeze against a…
Read More