I'm relatively new to disk brakes, and I always like to carry a set of spare pads when I am out with the bike. If any of you also carry spare pads, how do you do it? Mine are Shimano, and the original packaging is huge so I can't carry them there. Is it ok to carry them without packaging (so they might get in contact with the other tools or with each other)? Are they not as sensitive to contamination as the rotors are? I saw an article about tools to bring along on bikepacking.com and most seemed to carry just the pads attached to each other with a rubber band...
How do you carry spare disk brake pads?
- Thread starter ujdhdyet9
- Start date
I’ve had the brake material fall off a pad before, even though it looked to have lots of life left. Most used bikes have same brands of brakes, so easy enough to leave a single set of pads in my bag just in case. Even if it never happens on the trail again, I’ve always a spare set for replacement.
novocaine
Retro Wizard
I don't bother. A lack of one brake isn't going to bring a ride to a halting end (and hasn't so far, including when all the fluid decided it needed to be outside the hose). There are more important things to carry, like cake*.
* jokes, I carry a split link, a puncher kit, a spare innertube, cable ties, a tyre boot and tools. those are the common failures that will lead to a ride being stopped. Everything else is either so unlikely as to not be worth the worry (headtube snapping, broken spoke, etc.) or won't stop the ride so isn't worth the worry.
* jokes, I carry a split link, a puncher kit, a spare innertube, cable ties, a tyre boot and tools. those are the common failures that will lead to a ride being stopped. Everything else is either so unlikely as to not be worth the worry (headtube snapping, broken spoke, etc.) or won't stop the ride so isn't worth the worry.
SantasLoneCruzer
GT Fan
Yeah, I too wouldn’t bother carrying spare pads and even if one did break down mid ride, it’s not the end of the world.
If you did carry spare pads, risk of being contaminated in storage, etc.
I’ve only once gone through a set of pads mid ride, at Ardrock a few years ago when it was muddy AF. Yes, it was tricky riding as I’d lost the front set and a rear brake on that terrain and the quagmire conditions at the time, led for comical riding……however, it wasn’t ride ending.
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
Disc pads last 1000 miles easy.
Fit new ones before departure if they look worn.
The material won't fall off.
Don't buy cheap, obvs.
The rider is more likely to fail or wear out than a quality disc pad.
Fit new ones before departure if they look worn.
Use genuine shimano pads.
The material won't fall off.
Don't buy cheap, obvs.
The rider is more likely to fail or wear out than a quality disc pad.
^^ All of the above. I don't bother. They're cheap enough to just switch out before a tour.
As other have said, one brake will get you home. I've never done it, but so too will (presumably), the pad backing material straight on the rotor. Even if you trash the rotor they're only ~£15 or so.
As other have said, one brake will get you home. I've never done it, but so too will (presumably), the pad backing material straight on the rotor. Even if you trash the rotor they're only ~£15 or so.
"Cakes, not brakes" the motto of all good cyclists.
