When to replace brake pads

drlodge

My Campag brake pads are worn down quite a bit after 5,000 miles, but the slots are still visibile (I guess 2-3mm). Just wondering when they should be replaced e.g. once the slots are barely visibile or is there some reason to replace them sooner?

redvee

The slots act as a wear guide so they are due to be replaced soon. Start looking to buy new blocks now then you won't be off the road for too long. You've got cable adjusters to compensate for the wear of the blocks.

drlodge

I've uust bought new blocks ready to replace them...and when I had the bike out for cleaning last night I notived the adjusters were pretty much at the end of their limit so I readjusted the cable length at the clamp.

Guess that tells me they are at or near the limit of where they're supposed to wear down to!

marcusjb

Definitely the slots should be seen as a decent indicator for a wear guide. Some pads (Swissstop for sure) also have a wear indicator marked on the top of the pad.

Just replaced the front ones on the commuter and Audax bike. Embarrassingly, the commuter ones were beyond the slots and pretty close to reaching the metal of the holder!

sungod

i replace once the slots vanish

in the wet on my commute bike i found braking distance shot up once the slots were gone, presumably they help clear water quicker

on-yer-bike

campag blocks have a wear indicator line on them. Cant you see it?

cycleclinic

You replace pads when the braking is no longer as good as you would like it.