Brake Quality

Question
Short Question:  Has rollerblade break quality - specifically hardness -deteriorated over the years?

Details:  I used to rollerblade quite frequently (in Colorado and DC) but have been living overseas for many years, where the quality of roads, parks and terrain were not conducive to the activity.  Now I am in the DC area for a short time and have gotten back to the sport.

I recall my old brake pads lasting for hundreds of miles of use before I had to replace them.  I just replaced them with a rollerblade brand brake pad, ABT 1.  After just one, ONE, training skate of 20 miles, the brand new pad was worn all the way down to the "replace line."

This route - Falls Church/Seven Corners to W&OD / Custis Trail down to Rosslyn, along the Mt Vernon trail to 4-Mile Run trail, up back to Falls Church/Seven Corners - has some hills requiring braking before crossing urban traffic light intersections, but nothing to justify this kind of result.  In fact, when I had lived here before, I used to go up and down the Custis Trail dozens of times on a single break.

As the brake pad kit came with two brakes, I replaced the break and did the same course in reverse, since the longer steep downhill sections are minimized in this direction.  Plus, I was careful only to use the brake when absolutely necessary - stopping at intersections when traffic present or to control speed on a few descents only when absolutely necessary.

To my utter amazement, after just this one 20-mile blade, the second, brand new brake pad was again worn down to the very "replacement" line.  My old brakes never performed this badly.  Now, I am blading on the brake nub (though this part of the brake seems to be wearing better, as, surprisingly, I have done the same circuit two times since on the nub without the astonishing wear exhibited on the new, full break.)

What gives?  Are there different brake pad hardness categories, like there are with wheels?  (I use the hardest rated wheel.)  If so, how can I obtain them?  It is obviously untenable that I have to replace a break pad after every training run, especially when I am not really that heavy a braker.

Answer
Hi Ron,
  Well, I wish I could answer your question but I'm not that familiar with blade brakes. I deal more with quads but I have heard what you said....that the Rollerblade brakes wear down very fast.  I've also heard that K2 brakes are too hard and that Solomon brakes are just right.

 The question is... can you buy different hardnesses of brakes for your brand of skate.  I searched online and couldn't find any information about it or if brake pads from a different mfg are interchangeable with your blade pads.  

  I think the best way for you to find out is to contract Rollerblade directly either by phone or email.  I believe a while back Rollerblade produced a faulty brake and when people contacted them, they were replacing the brakes for free.  Since you recently purchased your pads, they may not be the faulty ones but it's worth checking out.

 I would make sense to me to make the pads in various hardnesses to suit each skater but that doesn't mean that they do.

  It's possible that, like everything else, they have lowered the quality.  I wish I could have been more help but I think your best bet is to contact Rollerblade and ask.

Good Luck, I hope they can help you
Pat