Disc Pads

[uncinqsix]

So, I've covered around 400km or so on my bike (Giant Seek 2 Hybrid) so far, and the front pads are already more than half worn away!

This is a much faster wear rate than I was expecting, but I suppose it has a lot to do with the steep downhill on my commute. I'm trying not to ride the brakes, but there are lots of sharp, blind corners (and this is a shared path with a few pedestrians) meaning that I normally end up coasting up to a pretty decent speed on the straights and braking heavily to get around the corners.

I have two questions:

1.) Is there a way I can improve my technique to reduce brake wear?

2.) Any recommendations for replacement pads that will last (a lot) longer? The brakes are Shimano Hydraulics (M395) and came with OE resin pads. The rotors are marked "Resin Pads Only," but I don't see the sky falling if I put something harder on it. I suspect that worse case is that the rotors will wear out faster, but in that case I can just replace them with metallic pad-compatible ones. Having said that, how do the EBC green ones last?

[Vladimir]

EBC says you mustn't use sintered on "resin pad only" disks.

I use the green ones and they are very good and last quite well; in fact you've reminded me to get some spares.

You could always upgrade your disks at some point? They aren't too expensive.

[Rolls]

Superstar sintered pads will do the job...
not sure why you can't use sintered pads on "resin" discs though??

[uncinqsix]

Rolls said:

not sure why you can't use sintered pads on "resin" discs though??

From what I can gather, it's because the rotors are not heat treated like some of the better ones are, so they wear faster if used with sintered pads. However, if using resin pads means having to replace them every 2 months, I'd be better off wearing the rotors out sooner and replacing them with better hardened ones...

[Gren]

Perhaps try the Superstar kevlar ones?

[uncinqsix]

I've ordered some cheapish semi-metallics and I'll see how they go. I wouldn't mind getting a bit more life out of these rotors, but the next step will be to get a set of hardened rotors and sintered pads from Superstar.

Next question is does anyone have any tips for improving my descent technique to be a bit easier on the brakes? Here is a strava plot of one of my runs down the hill:



I'm pretty much not pedalling at all going down, and I'm currently carrying about 15kg more than is ideal

[Vladimir]

Some rotors aren't hardened enough for sintered pads apparently.

I've been on EBC greens for ages but giving the Superstar kevlars a go. In the post now