Disc Brake Pads: can you buy thicker pads that last longer?

[Cameron Newland]

I've got a 2015 IZIP E3 Dash and my brake pads were toast at around 500 miles, and from what I gather, this is normal (I've even heard of some ebike riders having to replace their pads every 100-200 miles).

Considering that ebikes reach higher average speeds than regular road bikes do, and that they also weigh more, brake pad wear is certainly going to be higher on an ebike and brake pad life certainly shorter. I'm wondering if it's possible to buy disc brake pads that are thicker and that might last longer (say, 1,000+ miles). If not, do you think some of us could get together an organize a group buy of a custom run of thicker pads? I imagine the metal and cutting tools are pretty easy to come by, but that the pad material itself (whether resin or otherwise) might be harder to source.

Have any of you switched from resin pads to sintered metal pads and had good results? I've heard that they tend to make more noise than resin pads, but last longer.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

That's crazy.
I have the stock pads on my Jumper and still plenty of life left at ~2300 miles. But, I think mine is sintered ceramic pads.

 

[Shea N Encinitas]

Do you happen to live at the top of Pikes Peak? On my Dash I got around 2k per set, now I did have to adjust them way too often. Tried metallic pads recently (on another bike) and got rid of them in a matter of days. Maybe some of the third party brands, power stop or whateves would buy you some distance, or can you 'take it easy' on the brakes? I don't think thicker will work as there is limited travel of the cylinders. -S

 

[Cameron Newland]

I do a 20 mile daily commute (10 miles each way) and there are 7 stoplights and 10 stop signs, and my average speed is above 20mph, so perhaps it is like Pikes Peak on my brakes ;-)

Perhaps I need to make sure that my brakes are properly adjusted, but it seems to me that most of the time, they are properly adjusted. Maybe there's something I'm missing. Perhaps the pads weren't properly centered over the rotors, and wore out one particular side/pad earlier than the other(s)?

Perhaps if I had regen, my brakes would last longer.

 

[Shea N Encinitas]

That's still crazy wear, do you use Shimano pads on Shimano brakes? I could imagine a scenario where someone might end up with counterfeit or aftermarket pads that are crap. Regen is way overrated on bikes. -S

 

[Aushiker]

SwissStop widely considered one of the best brake pad also make disc brake pads including pads specific for e-bikes. You need to know your brake disc model (not the bike model) to see if there is a suitable e-bike pad for your brakes. Also expect to pay top dollar. These are not "throw-away" brake pads.

Andrew

 

[Llcjay]

I've got a 2015 IZIP E3 Dash and my brake pads were toast at around 500 miles, and from what I gather, this is normal (I've even heard of some ebike riders having to replace their pads every 100-200 miles).

Considering that ebikes reach higher average speeds than regular road bikes do, and that they also weigh more, brake pad wear is certainly going to be higher on an ebike and brake pad life certainly shorter. I'm wondering if it's possible to buy disc brake pads that are thicker and that might last longer (say, 1,000+ miles). If not, do you think some of us could get together an organize a group buy of a custom run of thicker pads? I imagine the metal and cutting tools are pretty easy to come by, but that the pad material itself (whether resin or otherwise) might be harder to source.

Have any of you switched from resin pads to sintered metal pads and had good results? I've heard that they tend to make more noise than resin pads, but last longer.

You should never buy thicker pads , even if someone would sell them.

What you want are pads designed for downhill mountain bikes or DH. Find the exact brake caliper model on your bike and search on bike radar or Amazon for the best pads available. They might cost $30+ for a set.

 

[Cameron Newland]

SwissStop widely considered one of the best brake pad also make disc brake pads including pads specific for e-bikes. You need to know your brake disc model (not the bike model) to see if there is a suitable e-bike pad for your brakes. Also expect to pay top dollar. These are not "throw-away" brake pads.

Andrew

I just bought a pair of the SwissStop Disc 15 E sintered metal pads. We'll see how they hold up. First I've got to burn through another set of these Shimano B01S organic/resin pads since I just installed them. The Shimano resin pads are cheaper at $7/wheel, but if the $30/wheel SwissStop sintered metal pads last three times longer, then it'll be worth it to me, because I won't have to change my brake pads as often.

Ideally, I'd like to see ebike brake pads that last 10,000 miles. I know that may be wishful thinking, but I do think that ebikes have wayyyyy too much required maintenance, and I'd like to see manufacturers address this by using longer-lasting component systems. I imagine that hydraulic disc brakes combined with sintered metal brake pads might be just what the doctor ordered, though I doubt the pads would last 10,000 miles.

 

[stevenast]

When you get into this a little more, you find that the metal pads will cause more wear to your rotors, and also might squeal more. It's all a trade off.

 

[Lenny]

Magura has some excellent brake pads, but I guess they only supply to OEMs.

 

[NoDTMF]

I just replaced my pads, front and back. The rears had worn all the way down to the retaining clip, I am using these pads:
Shimano XTR Race (G01A) Resin Disc Brake Pads. Thats what was on before. Braking is good, See how long they last. I noticed that both my calipers weren't aligned well, so we'll see if that adjustment makes a difference.

Oh yeah, I only got 600 miles on the rear. Depending on how long these last, other options would be interesting.