I just got a bike with mechanical disc brakes, think they are tektro. wondering a rough idea how long pads last since they dont look like they can be very thick like pads on my hummer.
how long to disc pads typically last?
BrianR60077
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I just got a bike with mechanical disc brakes, think they are tektro. wondering a rough idea how long pads last since they dont look like they can be very thick like pads on my hummer.
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Not sure about your current brakes, but Shimano brake pads start originally at 2mm thickness (4mm total thickness, including backing), and it's recommended that they are replaced at 0.5mm thickness. They are said to make a specific noise when worn, perhaps a high pitched squeal rather than a harmonic hum.
I haven't personally worn any brake pads down to that point, but there's not much inertia for it to slow down as I'm 135 lbs and I try to find flow on the trail to minimize braking. I'm running on 3+ year old brakes with original pads in SoCal.
So I'd say unless you're 200+ lbs with a heavy bike, dragging brakes for security, they can last years if you ride in fair conditions on slopes that are gentle enough to flow. If you "race" in wet gritty conditions, I hear they can last mere hours.
I haven't personally worn any brake pads down to that point, but there's not much inertia for it to slow down as I'm 135 lbs and I try to find flow on the trail to minimize braking. I'm running on 3+ year old brakes with original pads in SoCal.
So I'd say unless you're 200+ lbs with a heavy bike, dragging brakes for security, they can last years if you ride in fair conditions on slopes that are gentle enough to flow. If you "race" in wet gritty conditions, I hear they can last mere hours.
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A long time... as in multiple years unless you ride them all the time and your rotors glow a lot from doing so 
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If by "hummer" you mean the giant ass suv...it's kind of hard to compare the two. Your brake pads on your bike are in charge of stopping you and a 30lb bike. The brake pads on your car are in charge of stopping a 2 ton hunk of metal and whatever the else you have inside.
It's super easy to pull the brake pads out, just look at them on occasion and see how worn they are.
It's super easy to pull the brake pads out, just look at them on occasion and see how worn they are.
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I always carry a spare set with me. Easier than worrying about it.
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You have to keep an eye on your pads, just like you do every other part of the bike. My current setup gives me about 425 miles. Whether organic or sintered, I've been getting about the same mileage. What is it they say? Your mileage may vary.
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i had the same pads for 10 years. don't really ever brake where I live.
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Sorry to hear that man. Uphill both ways must kinda suck... Good news is you can always travel to real trails!
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that sounds like my pads should last a season then since i mostly ride on the road and very seldom stop.... typically only stop for stoplights at the busy main roads and roll all stop signs. time is money in the courier business
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So many variables to factor in.
I’m an aggressive trail rider with lots of climbing where I live, and a clyde (240 lbs). I typically replace rear pads every 6 months, fronts every year (hydraulic brakes, not mechanical). I also go with “performance” pads over “endurance”, which wear quicker.
Yeah, I realize I’m an anomaly and have shitty braking habits. It works for me.
I’m an aggressive trail rider with lots of climbing where I live, and a clyde (240 lbs). I typically replace rear pads every 6 months, fronts every year (hydraulic brakes, not mechanical). I also go with “performance” pads over “endurance”, which wear quicker.
Yeah, I realize I’m an anomaly and have shitty braking habits. It works for me.
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i ride only during weekends and/or holidays and a set of xt metallic pads last me a year. that's around 3,500 km/yr.
it really depends on how you ride and where you ride. but after a few replacements, you'll get the feel how much you consume periodically
it really depends on how you ride and where you ride. but after a few replacements, you'll get the feel how much you consume periodically
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My Tektro rears lasted 1.5 seasons but they came with an alignment problem which I fixed with shims. Fronts are going strong.
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wonder if you have to replace rotors when changing pads like on a 4 wheel disc vehicle
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