A ball bearing mechanical disc brake (10) includes a pad wear compensating apparatus using an adjustment knob (106, 264) and a rotary to linear linkage between the adjustment knob (106, 264) and a brake pad assembly (72, 74) to advance and retract the brake pad assembly as dictated by wear. A cable guide system for maintaining axial tension in a flexible cable utilizes a straight length of axially and radially rigid tubing (70). A retaining structure for a friction pad and plate assembly utilizes a pad retention clip (85) defining an elongate track and a complimentary retention tab (370) on a plate of the friction pad and plate assembly (72, 74) configured to snap fit within the pad retention clip (85). The plate has a handle (381) which is textured (395, 396, 397) to provide for enhanced gripping of the handle. A caliper drive of the ball bearing mechanical disc brake has a plurality of ramps (162, 200) between first (158) and second (178) cams of the drive mechanism with each ramp having a sidewall defining a radially stable path for a ball bearing (176) residing within the ramp. A spring tension adjuster for the ball bearing mechanical disc brake includes a coil spring (228) having a first end ((230) attached to a pivot arm and a second end (232) fixed relative to the first end. One of the first and second ends is moveable independent of the lever arm to adjust and maintain a select spring tension.