You have to give Fox credit for this—a self-bleeding brake is technically fascinating. No one likes bleeding brakes, and if this maintenance step eventually takes care of itself, that’s basically good news. But this raises the question: Does this innovation actually solve the problem mountain bikers face?

Because let’s be honest. Most riders and mechanics spend significantly more time fixing a squeaky brake than bleeding one. Bleeding is a hassle, but it happens relatively rarely. The annoying “zing-zing-zing” of a slightly squeaky disc, on the other hand, is practically part of the standard acoustic equipment on many bikes. No sooner have you perfectly aligned the caliper than it starts rubbing again after the next wheel installation. Or after a hard turn. Or after a rough descent. Or just because the brake has apparently decided to do its own thing today.

The problem: Here, the industry faces significantly tougher challenges than with bleeding. A disc brake sits right at the interface of various components. The frame or rear triangle comes from one manufacturer, the fork from another, the hub from yet another, and the brake from yet another. Add to that manufacturing tolerances, minimal warping under load, and the fact that a brake rotor must run as close as possible to the pads. In other words: The brake operates within a system that rarely comes from a single source.

That is precisely why grinding has been a constant companion for many mountain bikers for years. And that is precisely why a truly grind-free disc brake would likely be a greater revolution than a self-bleeding one.