At the start of the ride, the disc brake was adjusted so that the brake was applied firmly with the lever pulled almost half-way. The big descent from the third peak (Red Mtn Pass) is split into two pieces with a slight rise. We stopped at that point just to rest hands, shoulders, rear ends. As I got back on the bike and applied the brakes to hold the bike for my wife to get on I realized that I didn't have much lever left...so I got back off and adjusted the pads. It appeared to me that the inner pad had worn more (had the bigger gap between it and the rotor) so I made a quick adjust and we finished the descent. I haven't touched it since but we haven't had descents that required that much braking. Regarding noise...no noise until the pad adjust during which time the rotor cooled some too. It made some moans for a little bit until the brake was applied a few times.

On another note, on the Tennessee Tandem Rally, I did see a Santana tandem with a 10 inch rotor and an Avid caliper. I didn't ask him where he got the adaptor plate but I bet tandems east or precision tandems would know and have what you need if you want to explore that option.

Bloomington, IN