Bicycle Mechanics - fast brake wear

I have done less than 2000km on my new bike and have already worn out the right front brake pad. I am thinking that I may have to adjust the toe-in by twisting the brake arms a little bit. What can be used instead of the Park Tool BT-3? Barnetts Manual 36, page 9 (http://www.bikeforums.net/barnettes/barnetts_ch36.pdf).

Also, is this normal pad wear times? I have standard cartridge brake pads that came on the bike.

Brendon

What kind of brakes do you have? My OCR2's stock front brake wore out after 700 miles. Hopefully these new koolstops work much better.

They are dual pivot side pulls that are branded Cervelo.....

Maybe it's just the stock brake material. Could also be ur using your brakes a lot. Also make sure your brakes are centered to begin with so one side doesn't wear more than the other.

I just noticed before I drove to the local store :O shock horror but it was getting dark...and my lights are on the bike in question.... that on the right pad it is worn away most at the front, and on the left it is worn the most at the back. Surely a setup issue? Anyway, I just bought some BBB roadstop brake shoes. They reckon that the pads are made of durable and long lasting rubber etc.

And yes I do a fair bit of braking, like during descents in bad conditions, and in races and coming up to lights in the city... but not THAT much.

Gonna give these new pads a go

Brendon

My guess is that the Cervelo branded brakes are made by Tektro, and so are the pads. The calipers are okay, but the pad compound is marginal at best. Your best bet would be to replace the pads with KoolStop rubber. Use black for most conditions and salmon if you ride a lot in wet weather.

Problem is I ride in both...sometimes it's a week or so that it's sunny then come weekend where I do up to 160km, it's p!ssing down. Do these koolstops fit the cartridge blocks?

Brendon

Your best bet would be to replace the pads with KoolStop rubber. Use black for most conditions and salmon if you ride a lot in wet weather.

Another vote for KoolStops. These are the best rubbers I've ever used.

Problem is I ride in both...sometimes it's a week or so that it's sunny then come weekend where I do up to 160km, it's p!ssing down. Do these koolstops fit the cartridge blocks?

I use the Salmon ('wet') KoolStops in all weather conditions. To my knowledge, they are sold both in Campy and in Shimano-compatible versions. Your 'Cervelo' brakes, in turn, are likely to be compatible with one of them. My guess will be the Shimano type, but your LBS will know for sure.

I have done less than 2000km on my new bike and have already worn out the right front brake pad. I am thinking that I may have to adjust the toe-in by twisting the brake arms a little bit. What can be used instead of the Park Tool BT-3? Barnetts Manual 36, page 9 (http://www.bikeforums.net/barnettes/barnetts_ch36.pdf).

Also, is this normal pad wear times? I have standard cartridge brake pads that came on the bike.

Brendon

If I'm not mistaken, your piece of heaven (New Zealand) is quite hilly? The brake pads on one of my road bikes that is almost 5 years old and approximately 8,400 mile, still has at least a thousand miles or so left on the original brake pads. But, it is generally flat in the area where I ride and I rarely apply more than minmial to moderate braking force. It might be worth checking with others that ride in an environment similar to yours.

Another vote for KoolStops. These are the best rubbers I've ever used.

Yeah I have koolstops too, black. They are 2x longer than my old brake pads. They don't fit in the brake cartridge, the pads have this nut on em that you stick into the caliper as one unit.
Best rubbers I ever used were either studded or ribbed...

Another vote for KoolStops. These are the best rubbers I've ever used. Uhm, I think you're in the wrong forum...