I had the same problem with my 2011 Felt B-14, I released all the tension and sanded the pads a little. I double check each time I put my Vision 81mm rims on.
If you do want to shave down the pads, just take them to a local machine shop (or an auto repair place that has a mill ). They can clamp the pads and then use an end mill to shave off however much you want removed.
Option 5: (works with some combinations of frames and calipers): fix the rearwheel in a more rearward position, so
you have to move the brakepads more rearward on the calipers, which increases their distance (again: dependent on the make of the calipers).
It seems like removing the washers would be the obvious choice because it won’t leave you with a half-worn out pad. The milling machine sounds like massive overkill, sanding them down by hand is quick and easy. Leave them in the holders so that they’re easier to keep a hold of and make sure to sand it flat and even; shouldn’t even take 5 mins to do a pair. I do it when I service my winter and commuter bikes, just to get rid of all the oil and crap from the road and give them a fresh surface.
Easiest home solution - hand held dremel tool with sanding bit, slowly and carefully sand down a little at a time, reinstall. If still too narrow for wheel, take pads off again and dremel off a bit more.
Its super easy to do. I put the pads in a little vice to hold them, but really, you could do them while still installed in the brake calipers.
I’ve done this to a couple pair for my speed concept, easy. And its not like we wear out brake pads that quickly on a tri bike. I’ve been using the same sanded down pads on my trek for 3 years now.
I noticed on my brakes (campag) that you can get the special washers in different thicknesses.
It’'s not much, from memory maybe around 1.5mm but that extra 3mm might make all the differance AND retain the adjustability that the pad holders were designed to accommodate.
The rear brake on my Felt B16 is almost too narrow for a FLO Disc. It kinda fits but if I offcenter the wheel just a tad, it will rub.
So my options are
another brake that can open a bit wider - but has to be pretty narrow profile, don’t wanna go with something that’d require a barrel adjuster upstream
remove washers from the brake pad holders - would be alright, but require removal of the drive side crank. Def an option.
shave down the pads a bit and adjust the cable tension as needed
So - option 3 - do I just sand them down with a fine sandpaper or file?
There are often spacers/washers on the back of brake pads on Felt bikes that they have recommended removing for wider wheels. If those additional spacers are on your bike, removing them could be the best/simplest solution. I’d contact Felt directly if you have specific issue about the brake they sold on the bike.
The easiest and best method by far is to use a bread knife. You can slice off a very thin and very even slice very easily with a good serrated bread knife and a steady hand. And then you can use the same knife to cut channels into the surface of the pad to disperse rainwater, just like the original surface had.
