Burnish Brake Pads

[sanjuro]

I just put a new set of Hayes pads in, and I was wondering what is the accepted practice for burnishing pads. The last time I replaced pads (Shimano), I just rode around carefully until I was satisifed they worked.

What do you do?

[binary visions]

I ride around town for a while with the brakes half-applied. That accomplishes two things: it breaks in my pads, and gets my sorry ass gasping for air :D.

Seriously, though, wind sprints in empty parking lots with the brakes applied really get your heartrate up, and seem to work just fine for breaking in new pads.

[Jayridesacove]

I find a large steep hill, I ride/walk up it. I bomb down with the brakes on full till I smell burning, then I stop and I do it one more time.

[teamkranzelbike]

The hayes manual says it takes at about 40 hard stops to get the pad set in. I have found that a half dozen or so hard short blasts do the trick. I also scuff my rotors and pads with xxfine emery cloth before I install them. seems to speed the process some, plus removes any light scratches and inperfections from the rotor.

[sanjuro]

A friend of mentioned doing this method with Avid pads just glazes the surface, diminishing their braking power...

[thaflyinfatman]

Nah, heat is good. Take em to your local DH trail and give em a run or two.