How often do you change your disc brake pads?

JayKingFunk

I got an Avid BB7 disc brake about 3 months ago and i had to change the pads last week as they were almost completely worn away!

My front disc does occasionally rub (slight buckle in front wheel) but not excessively and i ride about 3 to 5 times a week between 5 and 8 miles each ride.

Should my pads have worn down this quickly??!

How often do you peeps change your pads and are the different types of pads with harder wearing materials used? If so what are they called??!!

thanks in advance, J

nicklouse

in poor conditions you can get through a set of pads in one ride.

sintered pads for wet and muddy conditions.
normal for dry use.

Thewaylander

bout to say, i have destroyed pads in one ride, and some have lasted nearly 8 months. its so dependent on your rides, the conditions even the soil you have,

I ride a bit at Afan and if its wet the local grindstone based soil destroys pads in no time.

Surf-Matt

Any obvious things to look out for when they wear out?

This is my first bike with disk brakes (Juicy 5s) - I do about 10m a day, every day - bike is about 7 months old.

stevieboy

I get anywhere between 50-500 on rears and 1000 miles and counting on the fronts (i'm a bugger for dragging the rear)

nicklouse

Surf-Matt wrote:

Any obvious things to look out for when they wear out?

This is my first bike with disk brakes (Juicy 5s) - I do about 10m a day, every day - bike is about 7 months old.

metal on metal noise. Always have at least one spare set with you on a ride. and when fitted replace as the others will soon follow.

Surf-Matt

Better get myself some spares then!

Stupid question number 2 - how easy are they to fit?
Yes I've got my Avid manuals but they take some reading through!

nicklouse

not too bad once you have done it once. have a play at home.
and have a look at the vids on youtube.

Thewaylander

only trouble i have had with my avid juicy 5's is pushing the pistons back, i find a smaller 8mm spanner or so is ok to do, as it goes around the little plastic nipple onthe pistons which im reliable informed are a bit delicate to pressure

omegas

Avid pads are easy to change as you don’t need any tools but that is debatable.

Most importantly is to push the pistons back in while you still have the old pads in then get hold of the small protruding tab (sometimes you need pliers to waggle them about) push it centre and the pad comes out. To replace you sandwich the 2 pads with the spring clip and push home.