Phil (ascentale)

Next question from @trouble is about brake pads:

Q2. Has anyone seen brake pads like this before? This is my second time coming across pads that look just like this (the plastic and brake material shapes) on a road bike. Look closely; those shiny silver bits? chunks of rim! I yanked these off and replaced them on my bike with Koolstops, but only after the metal bits wore grooves into my rim, ugh #BikeCommuterCabal

Has anyone else seen alarming brake/rim/rotor conditions?

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

Apr 26, 2024 at 11:08pmWeb
Show threadPhil (ascentale)Apr 26, 2024

@trouble
A2. My rims are starting to feel a little concave from the wear braking over the years. I'm not sure when it'll be time to replace them, but the time is approaching. Hopefully it'll be long enough so that I can take my time finding another set of wheels/rims.

#BikeNite

Show threadTroubleApr 26, 2024
@ascentale rims can be measured for thickness to determine remaining life. However, I've never looked up how thin indicates needing replacement. Nor do I have the tools (micrometer) to do so. Calipers don't work because they need to fit over the rim's bead. At this point I'd defer to your LBS.
Show threadloptaApr 26, 2024
@ascentale @trouble What brand were those? I would like to avoid them. #BikeNite
Show threadTroubleApr 26, 2024
@lopta @ascentale these pads have zero markings on them. They feel quite hard, and do not flex at all, unlike rubber brake pads.
Show threadnothingfutureApr 26, 2024
@ascentale @trouble A2: I wore a rim sidewall down so much that the entire sidewall of the rim cracked off. The replacement for that became the second wheel I ever built (the first was when I grenaded the rear hub on my mom’s mountain bike). #bikenite
Show threadeddApr 26, 2024

@ascentale @trouble A2. I had some disc brake pads that were worn down to the pin. I don't think the rotor was too damaged by that specifically, but after 12 years the rotor was significantly thinner at the braking area than the center support structure. Definitely explained why my brakes were getting soft so fast.

#BikeNite

Show threadJacobApr 27, 2024
@ascentale @trouble Side question: What are the little shark fins for??
Show threadTroubleApr 27, 2024
@or @ascentale they are part of the plastic body behind the brake pad. I presume they are there for stiffness. I have seen other pads with similar looking shapes.
Show threadLuke KaniesApr 27, 2024

@trouble @or @ascentale I think the shark fins are to help seat the wheel between the brakes, a kind of funnel to get it into place.

Higher end components, usually have them as part of the brake body, less expensive ones include them in the pad

Show threadPhil (ascentale)Apr 29, 2024
@lkanies @trouble @or I also thought that they were for squeezing. Sometimes you need to squeeze cantilever or linear-pull brakes together to free up the cable so that you can remove the wheel. The fins give you a "handle" for your fingers to squeeze, maybe?
Show threadLuke KaniesApr 29, 2024
@ascentale @trouble @or maybe? I’ve always just pushed the things that hold the pads
Show threadPeteApr 27, 2024
@ascentale @trouble A2 #BikeNite Of course not. I'd never let my pads get into any kind of alarming state. No, not ever. 🫣
Show threadMax 🌆🏳️‍🌈⛵️Apr 27, 2024
@ascentale @trouble A2: I've worn pads flat, never noticed metal bits embedded yet. Speaking of I've got a few bikes that probably need brake maintenance...