[shaunx]

I am curious to find out the benefit hydraulic disc brakes over a mechanical set up have. Besides changing pads, what does it take to keep the hydraulic ones working or are they maintenance free?

[SP2]

hydraulic in bikes are they around? I have'nt seen or may be missed this information. How is the working and performance of these brakes.

[Devil]

Most bike brakes are hydraulic.

Something that should be done at the very least each time the pads are changed, prefereable more often is to clean up the brake pistons and make sure they're moving in and out of the caliper smoothly.

Unbolt the caliper from the fork leg, take the pads out. Carefully pump the brake lever to get the pistons to come out a bit and using a toothbrush and some CRC Brakleen scrub the dirt off the pistons till they're nice and shiny. Push the piston back in and hold it there and pump the brakes to get the other pistons out. Often they're a bit stuck because of the dirt. All of this is degrading your brake performance.

Just be carefull not to pump the pistons out too far, as they can pop out and you'll have brake fluid pissing everywhere. Just pump them out as far as needed to clean them.