Gritty feeling brakes after a trial ride

[8potdave]

I have a Canondale SL3 hardtail and use it for a variety of riding. Mainly XS and trails with a bit of road riding, but today I went around a very muddy Sherwood Pines. The bike felt fine riding round despite the gritty brakes and chain driver. After the ride I used their jetwash and gave it a blast, followed by a sponge clean and rinse at home.

I've since cleaned the discs and pads with brake cleaner and the front is fine, however the rear one feels horrible! As the wheel turns it seems to catch once every rotation as if the disc is bent. I have checked the disc and it runs perfectly true so could it be knackered pads? Is it worth stripping and cleaning the caliper (although I've never done one before)? Could it just need a decent ride to clean it properly?

The surface at pines is sandy and muddy, and my fear is that the sand has found it's way into somewhere I don't want it to be.

[rhinochopig]

Never, ever, ever, jetwash a bike. You'll kill off the bearings and damage the various fork and brake seals. Only use low pressure water - like a shower head type spray.

As to the question, probably a small bit of grit embedded on one of the pads. Try a bit of heavy braking up and down the street and see if it clears it. Or you can whip the rear wheel out and use a thin clean (i.e. not one that has been brushing the chainset) brush directly on the pads.

[anonymous-user]

probably just the pads need replacing, its not unusual for certain pads to wear out in a day if the conditions are less than ideal, there is a good guide/info here

[8potdave]

It wasn't so much of a jetwash more a powerful hose with a lance. I wouldn't have used it otherwise..

Upon inspection the pads are completely lunched! The rear ones are down to the metal and the fronts aren't far off! I'll look at that link, many thanks and get some ordered. That's tomorrows ride down the pan then

[nammynake]

Were they organic pads? Easy to wear out those in one wet/gritty ride - they are meant for dry conditions.

Stick with sintered ones. Superstar pads are cheap and good quality.

[Justin S]

All bikes from new have organic pads. Great for dry weather, pants for wet grinding winters. Sintered pads are needed. Get a set of 3 or 4 pairs and keep some in your camelback/ saddle bag. I recommend Uberbike ones, which are similar to Superstar, but prefer the seller, if I am honest.

[8potdave]

I have just looked up Uberbikes and they are local to me so happy days! Will pay them a visit this morning

[Pablo16v]

Their kevlar pads are really good (as are the Superstar ones). I’ve also learned over the years that bedding new pads in properly can greatly increase their lifespan, especially with organic pads.

[8potdave]

They were closed yesterday so will be going up tomorrow. Aren't Kevlars quite soft though? What sort of life expectancy can you expect from them?

[Justin S]

If your riding the Peaks, then sintered are what you need. The grit there kills everything. VOE.