 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
At what point do you change your brake pads?
a mm or 2 or down to (nearly) the metal?
I always carry spare pads in my camelbak and it's not too much of a faff to change them mid ride but if it was raining and windy....
When those annoying pad springs start to rub on the disc robbing you of the rest of the braking material
I keep an eye on them and if I'm going away, I'll change them early but typically, I'll change them just before the pad springs get involved.
If I'm too late and the springs get involved mid ride, I'll just take the spring out. Rattles a lot, but still functions.
Depends really. At home in winter/autumn I tend to do it earlier because a wet ride can wipe out a load of pad. Otherwise I'm a proper pad scrooge.
When those annoying pad springs start to rub on the disc ......
Exactly this for me. I tend to forget about brake pads so the spring starting to rub is a really handy reminder to check them!
Interestingly, for the first time ever, I actually noted the date and mileage when I changed the pads a couple of weeks ago so I might be able to be a bit more systematic about it.
When they are done.
Sometimes I'll stick new ones in a ride or two before a big /key ride regardless and keep the part worns as spares in the camelback as some rides I even burn through a freshly bedded in set of sintereds and I don't like fitting box fresh pads mid ride as I find I burn through them in no time in those circumstances.
When I remember to check and find that one of them is through to the metal. So that's why they weren't working so well recently.
OK I sometimes do better than that.
When my brakes stop working any my ride is ruined. Same applies to tyres, when the sealant loses the battle with the cuts in the sidewalls. I'm both a cheapskate and stupid, I really ought to run for public office!
How many miles? I have had the same pads in for ages.
Should I go for semi-metallic, sintered or kevlar when my brakes next fail?
I just replace them when they're looking a bit thin. Just eyeball it to about less than a quarter of their max depth. I've always gone for Organic and never had an issue with them. I find Sintered are noisy and wear more quickly. I feel Organic give me a bit better bite and are generally quiet.
A few rides before they're completely gone. I usually try and use the bike for a few commutes to completely bed them in before taking them off road, otherwise if its wet its a waste or a set of pads on day 1!
Having said that, with two single speeds I don't get through pads quickly even in winter so often its a case of putting organic pads in when the weather improves and sintered ones in when it gets shitty.