Front brake pad clearance

[msb]

Had new front brake pads installed late last Fall and everything worked great up until I took the bike off the road for the Winter. A few weeks ago wheI had the bike up on the jack, I noticed the pads rubbing a lot more than usual...consistent, not just in spots. Brakes seem to function properly so I'm wondering if it's the calipers sticking/needing cleaning, or....?
Just getting her back on the road this weekend and will try a short ride today and see if anything changes. Any thoughts, suggestions?

Thx

[Jess from VA]

I can't be sure not looking at your bike, but my bikes (with good pads) always seem to drag a bit harder than normal when they've sat for awhile.  Even if there's no surface rust or crud on the rotors.

Usually one ride, and it goes back to normal.

[98valk]

disc brakes Always drag/touch on the rotor per design.

[indybobm]

After a ride, carefully check your rotors to see how hot they are. They should not be.

[msb]

I understand that the pads are designed to drag a bit on the rotors... I had just noticed that they were doing so significantly more this time.
Just  got back from a good 2 hour ride... first of the year, and they appear to be back to normal. I suppose it's just as Jess indicated... probably due to the fact I just put new pads on before taking the bike off the road for the Winter and having it sit for 3 months. A scenario I can't recall in past years.
Thx for the comments.

[Tfrank59]

Well mine been dragging more than they used to also and I posted on this forum about it and people were saying maybe it's time to clean the pistons or even rebuild the calipers so I'll probably have to do that soon. But what Indybobm said is right if your rotors aren't abnormally hot after a ride then you're probably okay

[Jess from VA]

One of the things that always helps out my brakes some is at washes, I get out a collection of small and medium stiff bristle brushes, and mildly corrosive wheel cleaner (or S100) and really go to town on them.  It doesn't hurt the pads.  And you want some grease on the slider pins (but not the pads).  And if needed a bit of OOOO steel wool to buff the rotors (dry).

Even with no bleeding, my brakes always feel more responsive after a hard cleaning (and good rinse).

I use a gas blower full blast to dry well (and rags).