I use KS Salmon pads and depending on the weather, I can tear through a set inside of 700 miles. Winters in the PNW suck for brakes/rims. Sand and cinders get thrown on the road for traction in the snow (if it snows.) If it doesn't, then you just have all the regular road grit clinging to everything because of the constant rain/fog mix. It forms a nifty grinding paste along the braking surface, and soft pads like the KS Salmon don't last long.
The long pad inserts are only $7 a pair, so I just chalk it up as a consumables cost and deal with it.
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"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.