disc brakes - which pads

malverncyclist · Post by **malverncyclist** » 28 Oct 2011, 8:20am

Hi
I bought a Cube Hooper bike in mid-2010 (Alfine system) and the disc brakes increasingly are loud rather than effective. It may well be that pads are oiled or worn (20+ miles 4 x per week commute since August 2010 all year 'round). Any idea what kind of pads to go for? I think the front one was replaced about 6 months ago as there was oil on them and the dealer, whilst sorting something else out, replaced them, don't know what with though. Any ideas?

thanks

Martin

Wesh-Laurence · Post by **Wesh-Laurence** » 28 Oct 2011, 9:46am

Basically you need to look at the brake calipers to identify their make and model. That determines the brake pads that will fit in the calipers. There are loads of third party manufacturers who will make disc pads for you particular disc brake calipers.

You can then buy Sintered, Organic or Metal compound pads but that's another discussion altogether. Some disc brake manufacturers recommend different compounds for different disc rotors but I don't think it matters too much. No doubt this last statement will start a huge discussion here.

MacBludgeon · Post by **MacBludgeon** » 28 Oct 2011, 10:11am

As WL says it's worth getting aquainted with what they take, pads and mineral oil/brake fluid, and how to maintain them. Some are easier to deal with than others but the basic concept doesn't vary. I get pads from Bikefridge on e-bay as they are vastly cheaper than OEM ones, changing pads is very easy and you'll find plenty of video tutorials on youtube etc. At their prices I'd change rather than try to refurbish existing ones, also check your rotors at same time.

I haven't progressed to fluid changes yet as I only have one, of three, sets of disc brakes that are hydraulic. But I have changed the pads and examined them, they came on a secondhand bike. One thing I noticed is that the front caliper has one piston that doesn't retract fully. To try and sort this I expect I will have to strip as fully as possible, clean, rebuild and then bleed. Some bike shops will check this sort of thing as part of their brake services and others will skip it, worth asking in advance.

If you don't have the documentation for the brakes you should be able to download it from the manufacturers website.

Ayesha · Post by **Ayesha** » 28 Oct 2011, 10:21am

The disk brakes on my MTB are cable pull.

The action pad is pushed by a cam, and the reaction pad is stationary. It can be adjusted with a screw to keep clearances correct.

I sent for spare pads ( a wise thing to do because there are hundreds of different patterns and the LBS might not have your exact pattern when you desperately need new pads ) from the USA.

I will have to check this but if the bike disk brake market is like the car market, there are expensive pads and cheap pads.
What you do is spend 30% more cash for 20% longer life

malverncyclist · Post by **malverncyclist** » 28 Oct 2011, 11:44am

Just checked with the shop where I bought the bike - it has Shimano Alfine KS5012 Calipers for hydraulic brakes on 160/160 rotors. Unfortunately they say that I'd have to bring the bike in to check what pads are fitted (as there is obviously, as I now know) a multitude of possibilities ...

Hmnmpfff - they are 30 miles away. Have to take pads out and see what they are ... and then order

Wesh-Laurence · Post by **Wesh-Laurence** » 28 Oct 2011, 4:32pm

Below are links to the exploded diagrams of the Alfine Disc Brakes.

The Disc Pads are "A01S" which is the common Shimano fitting pads.

Model BR-S500:-

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techd ... 612985.pdf

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techd ... 612986.pdf

Model BR-S501:-

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techd ... 646639.pdf

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techd ... 646640.pdf

As stated by another contributor buying third party pads are usually cheaper than Shimano's own brand.

I don't see the point of going 30 miles to the bike shop. You simply need "Shimano Type A01S" brake pads, just search for them online from almost any shop that sells dsic brake pads. I'm surprised the bike shop needs to see the pads they should be able to do a simple online search for the correct ones. I wouldn't trust that bike shop to do anything on my bikes for me.

Andyw · Post by **Andyw** » 28 Oct 2011, 5:43pm

Try Superstarcomponents.com not sure if they stock Shimano but worth a look. Bought some Avid Juicy previously much cheaper and lasted as long as a pair twice the price.

malverncyclist · Post by **malverncyclist** » 15 Jun 2012, 8:11am

any thoughts on what to use to top up/replace brake fluid? Any ordinary DOT 4 fluid?

Martin

Brucey · Post by **Brucey** » 15 Jun 2012, 8:40am

malverncyclist wrote:any thoughts on what to use to top up/replace brake fluid? Any ordinary DOT 4 fluid?

Martin

-if you have DOT4 in the system at present then yes, that is what you should use. Although you can get various different versions of DOT4 the differences in bicycle brake use are slight.

However you may not have DOT4 in there. Shimano brakes have used a Mineral oil for many years, and this stuff must not be mixed with DOT4.

I am told that you can use 'LHM' oil (commonly used on Citroens) as an alternative to shimano mineral oil, but I've not BTDT myself.

Pads? These look good to me

http://www.discobrakes.com/?s=0&t=0&c=14&p=299&

cheers

michaelw · Post by **michaelw** » 15 Jun 2012, 5:49pm

I use Superstars on my Shimano cable disc brakes. They stop well, last for ages and are quite cheap.

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