shoota 

Is this a real thing? It's more and more likely that the Mid South is going to be the Mud South and the only thing that really worries me is losing my brakes. How feasible is road-side replacement?

dsaul

It depends on the brakes, but it shouldn't be too hard to do if you know how to change them. You'll have to remove the wheel, use whatever tool necessary to remove the fastener that prevents the pads from falling out, pull out the pads and spring, use a plastic tire tool to push the pistons back(maybe do this with the old pads in place), put in new pads and spring, replace the fastener and put the wheel back on. It won't be fast, but it would be better than trying to finish the ride with no brakes.

I have carried a set of pads with me on wet gravel rides, but have never had to actually replace them during a ride. I did lose my rear brake at a long distance MTB event and that was not fun finishing with only a front brake.

Elvo

This is a really easy replacement especially if they are cable brakes and you probably won't have to remove your wheels unless you need to push the pistons back in.

ronin4740

I'm pretty sure I could swap Ultegra Hydro brake pads in the field if I had to. Just have to be careful not to lose the retention clip... or not install it and trust that the screw retention mechanism won't fail.

shoota 

thx guys, I'll look into it then.

redlude97

can you use the metallic pads? J04C I believe for shimano hydro rs685

shoota 

I don't see why not?

redlude97

metallic/sintered pads last a lot longer in muddy conditions so something to consider if you don't want to have to stop to change.

dwmckee

Pads generally last thousands of miles. If they are at all questionable before a long or very gritty ride I'd just start with a fresh set before the event. Too many folks think they have to wear them down to nothing before they replace them. You will see many better riders replace then if they are down to half life or less. To be practical, say a new set costs $15 and you replace then when they are half worn. That means you throw away $7.50 for great piece of mind and not having to stop and switch pads 20 miles before the finish... That is a pretty small price.

chris406

My first Land Run 100 was 2017 the year of the freezing rain and crazy mud. My resin brake pads failed in the first 20 miles. Flintstone braking on downhills was absolutely insane. I was prepared for the weather but not for the brake pad issue so I had no choice but to stop at the half way point. There were many people that had the same issue. 2018 and 2019 I made sure to switch to semi metalic J40C brake pads and keep an extra set in my saddle bag although I didn't need them. This year they'll be in my bag again. One thing I learned in 2017 was to ride in the areas that are wetter. The better line is through a rut that has standing water, what appears more dry is actually peanut butter that weighs 10lbs. I'm doing The Double this year, If I make it through the 50k run on Friday I plan on enjoying every free beer/whiskey/margarita offered on the ride.

Good luck to anyone who is on the starting line.

shoota 

This is exactly what I needed to know. See you in Stillwater tomorrow

redlude97

I've burned through a set of organic pads to the backing in 40 min CX races. Some conditions create essentially a grinding paste slurry

ChinookTx

Some lower end rotors specify "Resin pads only" so be careful using metallic pads.

dwmckee

Yeah, this is why I say start with a new set of pads on a race like that instead of trying to get every last bit out of a set of older pads. There are definitely some rides where you can eat upo a set of organic pads quiclly. I do not feel these rides are the orm however, at least in my poart of the country.

Steve B.

Note that on the typical Shimano disc systems I’ve changed pads, there’s a tiny cotter pin that prevents the pad retaining bolt from unscrewing. It’s small and hard to grab and easy to lose especially if you put it down in the grass. I usually use a small set of needle nose pliers, which I don’t carry on a bike. Not going to stop your ride, but means a trip to the LBS for a replacement.

shoota 

Well my metallic Ultegra hydro pads made it. Many others did not.

mstateglfr 

wait wait wait now.
You rode that course and having nothing more to say other toth- 'my brake pads worked'?!

Pics of that looked awful. You finished which is a win by itself!
So how was the experience overall? Did you do well compared to your expectations?

chas58

I can change my pads (shimano Ultegra) without taking the wheels off (just don't lose that clip!). Do need something to compress that piston back in though. Certainly in the early days of cyclocross, people were going through a set of pads in an hour. Good be cheap insurance to carry a spare set.

shoota 

It's hard to put into words what that day was like. This was my first experience with mud but I was mentally prepared for it. That helped tremendously, there were a lot people that were beyond miserable. I genuinely enjoyed the entire day. It took me 12 hours but I stopped and helped people until there were so many that it didn't make sense. Here are some pics: https://www.strava.com/activities/3184107165

shoota 

What's the SRAM metallic pad equivalent?

redlude97

I use swissstop sintered, ,model 32 for SRAM HRD https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Stop-Sw...00EN1UO9O?th=1