Brake blocks

[matticus]

In spite of all this, the rear brake in comparison to the front brake is much less effective in stopping you, so perhaps you are expecting too much. If you can lock the rear wheel by just pushing the bike, walking alongside it, with just the friction of the tyre against the road surface, then it is probably OK. If the friction from the road is greater then the brake blocks and the wheel continues to turn, then there is something wrong.

+1

 

[Drago]

A couple of good autocorrect words in there - could confuse a newbie.

I must stress that I use brake blocks, and do not habitually use west Indian slaves as a means of stopping my bicycle.

 

[fossyant]

I must stress that I use brake blocks, and do not habitually use west Indian slaves as a means of stopping my bicycle.

I'm shocked you don't. What about the poor person running in front of you with the red flag ?

 

[nickg]

So I may change them and also reset them to. So which pads would people reccomend?

 

[And]

So I may change them and also reset them to. So which pads would people reccomend?

Shimano

 

[matticus]

Shimano

noooooooo!

Koolstops for me. Salmon are tried-n-tested.

 

[fossyant]

I've found the standard Clarkes pads absolutely fine - I've used them on all 3 of my road bikes, including the commuter.

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Clarks-Roa...hZL67_Hj1Tz7PqHW_kL9KgQLKTP2CH-caAguQEALw_wcB

 

[Ian H]

I've found the standard Clarkes pads absolutely fine - I've used them on all 3 of my road bikes, including the commuter.

Interesting. I fitted a set, then took them straight off again. Not so much a lack of stopping power as the nasty sound of rims wearing away (same reason I won't use Shimano).

 

[MichaelW2]

See

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q4ay12CSF48

 

[Ajax Bay]

https://www.cyclist.co.uk/buying-guides/422/best-road-bike-brake-pads

 

[fossyant]

Interesting. I fitted a set, then took them straight off again. Not so much a lack of stopping power as the nasty sound of rims wearing away (same reason I won't use Shimano).

Perfectly silent on my bikes. I suspect you've got dirty rims. Ohh err !

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Whatever the issue with your brakes, it's very unlikely a change of pads will make a radical difference.

Either they're as good as they're going to get or (more likely) there is something else awry with the setup.

Park tools video from @MichaelW2 above is a very good place to start.

 

[Ian H]

Perfectly silent on my bikes. I suspect you've got dirty rims. Ohh err !

Nope. At least, no dirtier than at any other time. I did a thorough check. Koolstops are near silent and a dab or two of the lever clears any muck.

 

[si_c]

Before changing the pads try this, lock the brake full on - and then stamp on the pedals to try to turn the wheel, if it turns then the pads are crap, if it doesn't or it's really hard to get it to turn then the brakes are fine.

It's also worth properly cleaning both the pads and the rim - if you have any grease or oil on the rims then the pads won't bite properly.

If you do decide to change the pads then shimano pads are generally excellent as are third party pads by the likes of Koolstop and Swissstop although the latter do tend to be more expensive.

 

[matticus]

Nope. At least, no dirtier than at any other time. I did a thorough check. Koolstops are near silent and a dab or two of the lever clears any muck.

I don't really notice the noise - I DO notice the metal fragments embedded in Shimano blocks.

Koolstops grip at least as well, with negligible swarf/debris.