Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Brake pad life

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Brake pad life

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-17-18 | 06:59 PM
  #1  
RidingMatthew's Avatar
Thread Starter
Let's Ride!
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA

Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B

Brake pad life

well was working on the commuter bike... was going to replace tires and install jockey wheels. Jockey wheels are installed and test rode. They pass.

biggest concern is the fact that my brakes are totally worn out. 3888 miles is that normal for an all weather commuter? I was running kool stop dual compound pads. Year round riding!
RidingMatthew is offline  
Reply
Old 05-17-18 | 09:14 PM
  #2  
Reynolds's Avatar
Passista
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,262
Likes: 1,234

Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility

Brake pads on my commuter last about 4000 miles, so it sounds normal to me.
Reynolds is offline  
Reply
Old 05-17-18 | 09:27 PM
  #3  
ThermionicScott's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,643
From: CID

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Better the pads wear out quickly than their counterparts.
ThermionicScott is offline  
Reply
Old 05-17-18 | 09:54 PM
  #4  
79pmooney's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,191
Likes: 5,326
From: Portland, OR

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

If you rode in Portland, you probably would get nowhere near that kind of mileage. I have trouble getting my year 'round rims to last that long. (I suspect the high levels of volcanic rock and dust here is the issue. Brake and rim wear exceed any other place I have lived (Massachusetts, Michigan and California) by a factor of two of more.)

4000 miles for a set of pads? They don't owe you anything!

Ben
79pmooney is offline  
Reply
Old 05-18-18 | 05:30 AM
  #5  
mcours2006's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 440
From: Toronto, CANADA

Bikes: ...a few.

That's more than I get on my commuter brakes. Four season riding with a real winter.
mcours2006 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-18-18 | 05:46 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 23
From: Thornton, CO

Bikes: 2003 Orbea Orca, 2003 Bianchi Imola, ? Waterford

That sounds like good mileage. I’ve only been getting 4 to 6 months or so. About 1200 to 1800 miles I think. It can get fairly gritty in the rain. Also have a ton of stop and go traffic in the NJ and NYC area.
ptempel is offline  
Reply
Old 05-23-18 | 01:02 PM
  #7  
RidingMatthew's Avatar
Thread Starter
Let's Ride!
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA

Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B

thanks for the updates all. I ordered a set of pads Saturday and they arrived Monday i think it was. I don't even have Amazon prime and they came quick. I just need to install. (not looking forward to that) I just don't have much luck with the install of cantilever brake pads. So many variables.
RidingMatthew is offline  
Reply
Old 05-23-18 | 01:14 PM
  #8  
CliffordK's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 27,576
Likes: 5,485
From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Hard to say. I wear them down until there is not much left, and risking hitting metal on metal. Some seem to go quickly, others take a few years.
CliffordK is offline  
Reply
Old 06-06-18 | 07:08 AM
  #9  
pabbe's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
4000 miles is a lot of me. I stay in Banglore and the traffic here is really bad. I will probably need 2 pairs by 4000 miles.
pabbe is offline  
Reply
Old 06-06-18 | 01:50 PM
  #10  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

1 in 5 of those miles is putting the brakes on ?
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 06-06-18 | 11:09 PM
  #11  
a1penguin's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 33
From: Silicon Valley, CA
My road bike has 18,000 miles on it. Many of those miles are commute miles. Bike still has original pads, although they have good amount of wear on them.
a1penguin is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-18 | 12:33 PM
  #12  
RidingMatthew's Avatar
Thread Starter
Let's Ride!
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA

Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B

Originally Posted by a1penguin
My road bike has 18,000 miles on it. Many of those miles are commute miles. Bike still has original pads, although they have good amount of wear on them.
i haven't changed them yet even though I have some new ones to put on. I am getting a few more miles out of them. Especially since it has been so dry this week.
RidingMatthew is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
johngwheeler
Commuting
33
05-21-18 12:09 PM
CompleteStreets
Bicycle Mechanics
19
01-01-16 01:51 PM
daihard
Bicycle Mechanics
40
08-11-14 04:05 PM
whitemax
Road Cycling
3
05-11-14 06:06 PM
hobkirk
Bicycle Mechanics
13
04-06-11 05:46 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.