Technical Help For Noob - Brake Pads

[outlawtorn]

Calling all people who know more about bikes than I do, I reckon that's just about everybody on the website. I need advice. Here's the scenario:

22 Feb - New front brake pad/s
1 Apr - Bike serviced
12 Apr - New front brake pad/s

Don't you think that I've gone through those brake pads a tad too quickly? I ride like a nana so I'm not breaking hard all the time and I brake using both front and rear brakes.

What can you guys suggest? Am I getting screwed? Am I being supplied shit brake pads?

PS I do commute everyday and the bike is my wee GZ250

[bugjuice]

this might be a bit of a stupid question, but are the pads actually worn off? they really don't wear out that much.. Mine haven't even been replaced yet, and I've given them some shit.. and they're sure they didn't accidently put the old ones back in?

[outlawtorn]

yip, the first time I took the bike in they wouldn't let me leave without putting in "new" pads. I don't know much about bikes so I assumed they put in new pads and I paid for new ones anyway. During the service the report had the brakes as ticked but not as checked or replaced.

[bugjuice]

without seeing them, it'd be hard to say. You can't be too far from me, so if you like, you can stop over and I'll have a look, go from there. Replacing pads is mere minutes too, so if you have to get some more, I'll show you what to do to replace them yourself for next time

[Redstar]

Pads should give you at least 40,000ks of trouble free bikeing and your situation indicates either a failure or a bad replacement regime? some pads and set ups might fail simple because of bad fortune nothing is perfect and the pads may be just shoddy and have just failed but more likely the pads were just replaced without servicing the caliper. Most disc brakes require the cross over piston to be lubticated and if required the piston seals to be renewed along with a fresh flush and renewel of the fluid.
I suggest you go to a specialist and get new pads oil and ask for a full caliper service. expect to pay $150 but its done.