I keep ending up with metal collecting in my break pads and then hearing subsequent scraping when i try to brake. I never brake hard, and find myself cleaning the pads almost daily.. is it because of crappy stock break pads? If so, what are some decently priced alternatives?

Anyone had experience with this? Thanks

You'll get metal shavings from aluminum rims occasionally, and you just have to pick them out when they happen. If they happen very frequently, as in every time you ride, something else is going on. Had this happen with some very cheap rims on my year-round commuter. I think they just got worn unevenly on the braking surface from sand and other debris.

A trick a mechanic told me about at the LBS when I asked about sanding them is: take a Scotchbrite (plastic scrub pad) and place it between the brakes and the rim, and roll the bike on that wheel while holding the brake lever partially depressed. It'll at least take off only a very thin layer of metal, and do it evenly. If you just have one place that got galled by something, it might help. It only helped me temporarily, and the front rim had to be replaced. He said he's seen it work, but sometimes the rim is just shot. They do wear out, and sometimes quickly in bad weather.

Interesting, I do know that my brake pads are very uneven. I'll have to look at the rims more then as well, thanks for the tips.