Home Forums Bike Forum New rotors, old pads?

  • This topic has 10 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 6 months ago by mert.
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  • New rotors, old pads?
  • filks
    Full Member

    Have replaced my rotors on my commuter as they were a bit thin when I finally had a look. Plenty of meat still on pads I replaced not so long ago.

    Do I need to use new pads too or is it ok to re use the old ones?

    murdooverthehill
    Full Member

    New pads

    walleater
    Full Member

    For a hassle free experience, new pads.

    If the rotor has worn to a uniform thickness you’d probably be OK with the old pads, but I’d scuff them up with sandpaper.

    If the rotor has worn so it’s thinner in the middle (which normally happens) then 100% new pads time. The pads wear to match the rotor shape, hence, the pads matched to a worn rotor will ‘bulge’ in the middle. Installing a new rotor will mean that only the middle of the pad will contact the rotor. At best you’ll have poor braking for a while. At worst the pads will glaze over and howl, and have poor braking. Well, at worst you’ll get hit by a bus….

    filks
    Full Member

    Thought so – was trying to be frugal. New pads it is.

    Thanks

    1
    thols2
    Full Member

    I’ve never had a problem with used pads and a new rotor.

    reeksy
    Full Member

    Same

    Northwind
    Full Member

    Yeah I’ll happily mix as long as the pads are in reasonable shape

    pothead
    Free Member

    Never had a problem using old pads

    wordnumb
    Free Member

    Use the olds ones, replace with new if they aren’t liking the new rotors for some reason.

    jimmy748
    Full Member

    Use a Stanley blade at 90 degrees to the pad and scrape the surface, then reuse, works far better than sanding.

    mert
    Free Member

    If they are in reasonable/good condition, just reuse the old pads, i’ve always done that.

    Just need to do a few good hard stops, which you’d be doing with new pads or rotors anyway.

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