Five signs your brake pads are worn out

Worn brake pads are the most common safety problem we find on bikes that come into the workshop. Pads wear down slowly, so you get used to brakes that stop a little later each week. These five signs tell you your pads are worn out and need replacing before the next ride.

The five signs #

1. The lever pulls further. Each week of wear adds a little travel. If the lever comes close to the handlebar, the pads are thin or the cable has stretched.
2. You hear grinding or scraping. That is the metal backing of the pad against the rim or the disc. It wears out the wheel or the disc quickly.
3. The grooves have gone. Rim brake pads have grooves across them. When the grooves are gone, the pad is done.
4. The bike takes longer to stop in the wet. All brakes are weaker in rain, but worn pads are much weaker.
5. A disc brake squeals and pulls unevenly. Pads soaked in oil or worn to the backing do both.

How to check the brake pads yourself #

For rim brakes, look at the pads from above with the wheel in place. You should see clear grooves and plenty of rubber between the rim and the metal holder. For disc brakes, shine a torch into the slot of the caliper. Each pad needs a layer of material clearly thicker than its metal backing plate.

Bring it in if you are not sure. We check pads for free while you wait.

Pads or a whole service #

New pads fix the stopping. If the cables are old, the levers stiff or the gears slipping too, it is often better value to book a full bike service, so all of it is set up together.

After new pads, test the brakes with the safety check before every ride before you ride in traffic. New pads take a few gentle stops to bed in. The Cycling UK site has more on looking after brakes.