Brake Wear Question -- Is it possible...

[Catalyzt]

...that I could have burned through the pads on my Canyon Grizl:ON 7 in only 250 miles?!

I live in an area with a lot of steep hills, yes. But this seems like an absurdly short service life. My eMTB's brake pads were good for at least 500 miles in this terrain, and it's 47 pounds as compared to 36 for the Grizl.

The reason I ask: I'm just hearing a funny "shhh" kind of sound from the (Front) brakes sometimes, sometimes a little from the rear. And the discs look kind of chewed up-- not like they were sorta sandblasted, which I know can happen if the rakes get bad enough, but radial scratches. (I'll post a picture later if it's important to answering the question, I'm just exhausted at this moment.)

This is one thing I just don't have an eye for. Normal riders can see or feel brake wear. For whatever reason, I can't. What am I looking for? Maybe I should just clean the discs with alcohol, ride it for another hundred miles or so, see if there's any change, and then take it in.

Links to photos/videos of good vs. bad brake pads and trashed vs. serviceable discs greatly appreciated! Thanks!@

 

[Base]

we might need to see some photo's of the actual pads.
Wear is always something that is not going linear, I can ride with a set off pads for 8 months on my daily ride (sees also some "offroad" paths) and with my mtb I can wear out a set in muddy winter conditions in one ride, for example happened a few times in the Ardennes with really foul weather.

so if you look at the pads, do they look like this:

plenty pad material left but glazed? or are they worn in an angle? you might see that the return spring could be bent out so it could run into your rotor.

glazed pads can be sanded down and the rotor should also be lightly sanded down.

 

[Aushiker]

Is it easy to remove a pad and measure the thickness? That is in my experience the best way to determine if the pads need replacing, well besides being clearly down to the metal.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Yeah whip out the pads & check for wear. Check for uneven wear as well to see if alignment is off and if close to metal just replace them. Can't remember that credit card trick for measuring how much pad is left. Whether it was one card or more. Park tools do an excellent video on you tube showing all the different caliper designs & how to remove pads and check wear.

Steep hills do a surprising amount of pad damage in a short time, though 250 does sound very short. If they are worn already could have been cheap pads.

 

[Extreme1]

Buy some new pads, that way you can compare the old ones to the new ones. They are easy to replace. Get the good ones, they last a lot longer.

 

[6zfshdb]

If you're hearing brake noise, chances are, you have some brake drag which will wear out pads prematurely. Re align the calipers so there is no more noise. loosen the caliper mounting screws, firmly apply the brake and re tighten the mounting screws without releasing the brake lever. If that doesn't work, check for a warped or worn brake disk and perhaps a stuck caliper piston.

You can also try a different type brake pad that has a better wear rating.

 

[Chazmo]

Yeah whip out the pads & check for wear. Check for uneven wear as well to see if alignment is off and if close to metal just replace them. Can't remember that credit card trick for measuring how much pad is left. Whether it was one card or more. Park tools do an excellent video on you tube showing all the different caliper designs & how to remove pads and check wear.

Steep hills do a surprising amount of pad damage in a short time, though 250 does sound very short. If they are worn already could have been cheap pads.

Also could have a stock piston or stuck pad if wear is uneven. The last time I changed my pads I had to deal with both situations.

 

[Catalyzt]

This is very helpful. I need to do a deeper dive into YT diy videos for checking the pads.

The disc is not warped, at least that I can see. There is no wobble at all. Brake drag is possible. Better brake pads sounds like a really good idea. Super helpful!