worn brake pads and intermittent power loss

lovedoves

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 1, 2017
20
10
62
Newcastle upon Tyne
Hi there everyone, this is my first post though i have browsed for a while.

i do a 20 mile commute in the north east on the C2C route. The first part of the journey is through woodlands so its absolutely lovely, just in winter its a bit relentless-especially on the way home, dark,uphill and into the prevailing wind.

Last October i decided to get an electric bike on the bike to work scheme for the winter months. We have to buy through Halfords so i ended up with a Carrera crossfire(we have a £1000 upper limit and that was £999). Reasonably impressed though to be honest i still prefer the ride of my team Boardman 29er which i ride the rest of the year (going to get back on it full time at Easter and i ride it when icy as the tyres are much wider).When i say full time , i might treat myself once a week to an assisted ride in.

After cycling on the crossfire for 6 weeks up to Christmas the brakes starting being very noisy and then the front one failed (they are hydraulic disc brakes). When i took it to get seen to, they said the problem was that the brake pads had completely worn out after 6 weeks and this was due to the weight of the bike and it was quite normal for electric bikes(they calculated i had done just over 700 miles). Is this everyone's experience? The thing is, my journey is off road on cycle paths so i hardly have to use the brakes much, i was just surprised how long they didn't last- new brake pads every 700 miles! :eek:

Secondly today, the path was pretty muddy and quite early on i noticed power loss intermittently for the whole journey in. The display still lit up, i wasn't getting assistance when i should have. Is this common and do fellow riders have any suggestions for in-ride repairs? i was thinking cloths and WD40 or something.

Are there weak spots where the electrics are likely to short (or at least be a bit dodgy)in the mud and wet? Is the mud and wet likely to be the cause or is this co-incidence? i don't believe it to be so because at work i found a cloth and wiped the bike down and it seemed better,on the way back.

Thanks in advance for any responses :)
 
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soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,838
6,482
you want sintered brake pads and decent make ones or you will go through them like butter.

you can also fit bigger brake discs to get rid of the heat faster as that also wears them out faster.

this is what i done to a cheap disc rotor.
DSC_0290.JPG

it was on fire lol ;)
 
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lovedoves

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 1, 2017
20
10
62
Newcastle upon Tyne
you want sintered brake pads and decent make ones or you will go through them like butter.

you can also fit bigger brake discs to get rid of the heat faster as that also wears them out faster.

this is what i done to a cheap disc rotor.
View attachment 17542

it was on fire lol ;)
so i need to include a fire extinguisher in my repair kit?

mechanic said they upgraded them to 'metal' ones to last longer, i presume they meant sintered

thanks for the input
 
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soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,838
6,482
no just when they get hot like that they warp and then they are a bin job.

id still get some spare pads as they will still weare out just not as fast surprised you got that far with them tbh.

DSC_0222.JPG
DSC_0223.JPG

there hope 203mm you just need the adaptors for the frame.
 

D8ve

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 30, 2013
2,142
1,294
Bristol
It depends how you ride. I made over 3,000 miles on my front pads but SW may say I'm boring and try to maintain a steady pace without lots of stop start activities.
So keep pace steady, avoid sudden braking, stay lighter than me and you should get loads of range.
 

lovedoves

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 1, 2017
20
10
62
Newcastle upon Tyne
It depends how you ride. I made over 3,000 miles on my front pads but SW may say I'm boring and try to maintain a steady pace without lots of stop start activities.
So keep pace steady, avoid sudden braking, stay lighter than me and you should get loads of range.
Yes same here really..It's a commute on cycle track..I feel like I hardly use them at all which is why I was surprised

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soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,838
6,482
if there getting very hot then up the rotor size just see how it goes with the new pads.

organic ones on my bike dont last long at all tho i do tend to ride the brakes.
 

lovedoves

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 1, 2017
20
10
62
Newcastle upon Tyne
if there getting very hot then up the rotor size just see how it goes with the new pads.

organic ones on my bike dont last long at all tho i do tend to ride the brakes.
Might give it a go, though must admit I'm a steady as you go type rider..The only thing I need to brake for is squirrels and the odd deer

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soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
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Fordulike

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 26, 2010
3,802
1,538
Secondly today, the path was pretty muddy and quite early on i noticed power loss intermittently for the whole journey in. The display still lit up, i wasn't getting assistance when i should have. Is this common and do fellow riders have any suggestions for in-ride repairs? i was thinking cloths and WD40 or something.
There should be a pedal sensor magnetic disc and magnet sensor on the bottom bracket. Give that a clean with some soapy water.
 
Last edited:

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,910
8,525
61
West Sx RH
Off road inc tracks will introduce more abrasive compounds to the pads then general road riding, Dirt, grit and esp chalk or sand will cause faster wear.
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,838
6,482
does the batt wobble about ? could be that if it does.