The first ride on a new build should not begin with the steepest descent nearby. New pads and rotors need the brake maker’s bed-in procedure. Put that short job on the build checklist before the café ride becomes the brake test.
SRAM’s road-disc explanation describes controlled braking that develops a pad-material transfer layer on the rotor. The procedure is part of preparing a new pad/rotor combination, not an excuse to ride indefinitely with weak or unreliable braking.
Prepare the place and the instructions
On a GRARO build, the frame name does not select the bed-in procedure: the fitted brake, pads and rotors do. Have the assembler confirm installation, secure wheels and normal brake function first. Choose a clear, traffic-free area suitable for the specified controlled braking, and follow the maker’s speeds, repetitions and cooling directions. Do not improvise a generic “twenty hard stops” routine for every brake. Use the brake-system guide to identify the fitted system, and resolve rotor and frame/fork approval before this stage.
Keep lubricant, degreaser and dirty fingers away from braking surfaces. Use the specified cleaning method. If pads are contaminated, bed-in is not a reliable cure; ask the workshop to inspect the affected parts.
Stop and seek inspection for a leak, abnormal lever travel, loose hardware or unpredictable braking. If the system behaves normally after the prescribed process, begin with a modest ride and confirm consistent operation. Keep the pad and rotor references in your service notes so the next replacement starts with the right instructions rather than a half-remembered ritual.
