struggling with disc pads

[blackrat]

Adjusting disc brakes would be a lot easier if they were spaced further apart. It is so easy to work with rim brakes, disc brakes should have been designed to be as accessible and adjustable. I can't even see any space between the rotor and pads to get any levering tool in or see if they need adjusting. If my bike is running slow I assume the pads are rubbing on the rotor but can never see if there is any clearance. I much prefer rim brakes. Grumble, grumble!

 

[Alex321]

Adjusting disc brakes would be a lot easier if they were spaced further apart. It is so easy to work with rim brakes, disc brakes should have been designed to be as accessible and adjustable. I can't even see any space between the rotor and pads to get any levering tool in or see if they need adjusting. If my bike is running slow I assume the pads are rubbing on the rotor but can never see if there is any clearance. I much prefer rim brakes. Grumble, grumble!

Unless you have cable disc brakes, they don't need adjusting.
You'll be able to hear it if the pads are worn down enough to be rubbing on the rotor. It seems counter-intuitive, but really worn down pads do cause rubbing, because once the pistons are extended that much, they don't retract normally.

And you do take the wheel out to replace the pads. You don't try levering them with the rotor between them.