Do I need to upgrade my brakes?

[ophic]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

If you're on the bike you need to question why there are things in front of you at all

I tend to sit to the offside of the lane, that way if any nugget should pull a random emergency stop there is a second escape route. It also gives you a bit more thinking time for any nobbers pulling out from the left. And a chance for going round the outside of anyone pulling out from the right if you're lucky.
But of course road position is something you need to adjust depending on the situation.

Or if you're a nugget then you need some 4-pot calipers, stiff forks, race pads and braided lines.. Oh.. er.. #looks nonchalant#

The converse argument is that sitting to the offside of the lane tends to intimidate the car driver in front - who may therefore behave randomly.

Originally Posted by ophic

The converse argument is that sitting to the offside of the lane tends to intimidate the car driver in front - who may therefore behave randomly.

True, I do sit to the offside when in close quarters ie: about to overtake or in heavy traffic where everyone in bunched up, otherwise I just leave plenty room, but I really hate drivers who brake when the see the bike come up behind in their mirrors for an overtake . If they are scared of other traffic they really shouldn't be driving.

[yorkie_chris]

In my experience it doesn't make them do anything daft if you are not sat right on their back wing.

[ophic]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

In my experience it doesn't make them do anything daft if you are not sat right on their back wing.

Yeah much worse if you're up close. I've noticed some riders whilst i've been in the car, who like to ride far too close but mitigate their risk by keeping to the offside. It can be a problem when you need to pull out to go around parked traffic - you end up concentrating on the biker, not what might be about to run out on the far side of the parked car.

If a sensible distance is kept, its fine.

Ok, thanks for all your advice.

I tend to sit to the right of the middle of the lane! Pulling out to the right wouldn't have been an option because the car infront was turning right!

It was a dry single carriage country road!

I took a quick peep at my pads tonight and they look brand new! Got like a shine to them!

With me going to mallory on thursday, is there anything i can do to roughen them up a bit? I know using them with do that but with limited time!

I'll be practicing over the weekend though! Don't like the idea od pulling a stoppie though!

Thank u guys!

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Ruthja2801

I took a quick peep at my pads tonight and they
look brand new! Got like a shine to them!

Which bit is shiney ? any chance of a pic, its hard to understand what you mean and diganose this kind of thing over the t'internet.

Sorry no pic, i'm at home now!

The actual pads look unused!

[yorkie_chris]

They can end up looking fairly shiny, or they could be glazed from improper use.

To break the glaze you can give them a rub on a bit of clean concrete.

Concrete thats fine, was thinking sandpaper but didn't wanna do it without checking!

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Ruthja2801

The actual pads look unused!

They wont look like that after you've been to mallory

No doubt they are fine and there nothing to worry about, but if you really are concerned, take it a garage or a mechanic and get them to double check it.

I really seriously doubt theres anything wrong, I also dont think from what you have said, that you need do anything more than ride in a normal manner and use the brakes as you would do normally. They could be glazed over from dodgy usage as Yorkie Chris says though...

The only time I would be concerned would be if

1. The lever feels spongey
2. The lever comes right back to the bar during braking
3. Braking is accompanied by scraping, squealing or grinding noises.

Doesnt sound like you're getting any of that. So IMHO no need to worry about it. Just ride and enjoy it.