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.

 

[blackrat]

You'll be able to hear it if the pads are worn down enough to be rubbing on the rotor. Not true at all
And you do take the wheel out to replace the pads. You don't try levering them with the rotor between them. Not the point at all

 

[Homers Double]

I’m sorry but this just shows a lack of knowledge and maybe a reluctance to accept change.

 

[Alex321]

You'll be able to hear it if the pads are worn down enough to be rubbing on the rotor. Not true at all

Well I certainly can - and my hearing is nothing special.

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

So what was the point - you were saying there wasn't space between the rotor and the pads to get a lever in?

 

[madcyclist09]

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 I do take the wheel of

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.

 

[katiewlx]

Go to your LBS, I do. Replacing disc brake pads is a horrible chore! Good invention (see other thread) but a not well thought out one.

if I can do it, and Im the least interested in the spannering side of cycling there is, literally anyone can do them. I mean rim blocks were terribly fiddly to align properly,whilst disc brake pads undo one retaining pin, push out, slot back in, put retaining pin back in job done.

if the pistons are being awkward, which can happen with hydraulic brakes, you can push them back in, gently as you dont want to break anything down there,with a simple plastic tyre lever, but if theyre still sticky then yes you need to clean the pistons, or potentially bleed the brake system. But theres tons of youtube videos showing how to do it, and what bits you need. Its really not a LBS job.

 

[DRM]

Wooden ones, I take it :-)

Cork aren't they

 

[fossyant]

Disk brake pads are a doddle. Also a doddle to centre. Sorry.
Only issue Ive had was not having a handy set of plyers to compress the split pin on a budget set of cable disks. My fault for losing the plyers.

 

[Punkawallah]

Cork aren't they

I was speaking in jest.