brake block advice

[johnnyh]

Hiya all

Well time to buy some replacement brake blocks, but to be honest I am a bit lost as to what to go for.

They are for my Giant Boulder which has what I believe to be Linear Pull/v type brakes (??????), and I want something that is naturally enough good for the winter.

All suggestions most welcome.

 

[RedBike]

Softer pads provide more grip and they're kinder on your rims; but obviously they don't last as long.

You can't go wrong with Koolstop. The Salmon compound is one of the softer one

 

[fossyant]

As above !!

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I just put some Koolstop Salmons on my Giant Rincon, which is similar to the Boulder I think. These here in fact. Took me about an hour to fit them and adjust them, which probably isn't bad considering it's the first time I've done it. There was some helpful stuff on the back of the packet and I also looked up some instructions on t'internet. They even work and everything.

Given that my previous pair* lasted about 450 miles (7 weeks or so) I might go for a cartridge style set next time around for longer-term savings.

*They weren't Koolstop, admittedly, just the cheapest ones I could find in the LBS. The Koolstops might last longer .. will have to wait and see.

 

[johnnyh]

cool L-C, I think I will go the route of the Koolstop Salmons, but think I will head straight for the catridge style

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Good luck. Let me know how you get on and which cartridge ones you use: I started another thread in Beginners 'cos I'm well on my way to becoming a brake block geek.

 

[johnnyh]

hehehe good, I'll know who to shout for when it all goes wrong

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Ah, a geek who doesn't really know what he's doing!!

 

[johnnyh]

what, and you think I do???

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

We can enjoy our ignorance together. I think I'm going to give mine a tweak at the weekend: they work OK but I'm not totally happy with the travel at the front lever before they really bite. I know I can probably adjust that out at the lever end but might first have a juggle with the spacers on the blocks to get them a bit closer to the rim when "at rest". Plus, a bit more toe-in while I'm there might stop the intermittent little chirp as I come to a stop.