Pitted brake pads - is it my rims?

[Maj]

Hi all

 

So i'm riding along quite pleasantly, bike's purring, then I apply my rear brakes and hear this awful scraping sound, accompanied by reduced braking effect. This happened before (947 last year, my first), and it turned out to be a bit of metal that mysteriously got stuck to my front rim and was relatively easily removed. This time, I had to remove the pads and this is what they looked like, after I gouged several bits of metal flakes off them:

 

Where the hell did the flakes come from? I've looked at my rims, and it seems to me (when I look at the rims on our other bikes) that they seem unusually rough. Not very, but the rough areas are widespread around the rim.

 

Could the aluminium be flaking and getting caught in my pads? This has happened before, but always seemed to sort itself out after a bit of hard braking. I would just get new pads, but not if my rims are effed...

[velomonatiCT]

are you sure those pads aren't meant for carbon rims

[Maj]

are you sure those pads aren't meant for carbon rims

 

They're the ones that came with the bike, so I have no idea where they came from...

[velomonatiCT]

ok then check the pads aren't past the wear line on side of the pad if they are that's your problem... buy new pads

 

if not

 

was the bike new ?

sometimes second hand bikes used to have diff wheelsets and sometimes the pads don't get changed when the wheels do

 

if it was new !

then go back where you bought and ask them why your wheels aren't making your happy if they say you need to buy new rims or cant sort it out  get a second opinion at another bike dealer

[droo]

I'd say start by replacing the pads - those look like you can just do the inserts, which will save you a few bucks. If that doesn't work, then look at rims. 

 

I'd say pads are more likely though.

[David Marshall]

That is quite common with road pads.  You end up picking out bits of aluminium with a pin.  Some pads are better than others.  There was a thread a while ago where this was discussed and the consensus was that Koolstop Salmon pads were the best.  I have never been able to find them and my choice are the RavX Red all weather pads.  Not expensive either.