Brake pads, Koolstop or Swissstop

[RhythMick]

While fettling my Kaffenback ready for the "Let them eat cake" tomorrow I noticed that my pads are looking a little worn. Stock pads new from January so I'm a bit surprised, guess I've done about 500 miles on them. I think I tend to use the brakes more than others. Anyway they have a clearly worn section which is more worn than the bottom half, I noticed because the pads are occasionally lightly jamming on. They release quickly no issue but that's what got me looking. The wear grooves have about 2mm at the top of the pad and about 5mm at the bottom where the pad hasn't been contacting the rim.

The brakes are Tektro cantilever, 520 I think. The pads are one piece, not cartridges. Straight rod coming direct out of the pad, must be threaded as there's a 5mm Allen bolt at the top.

Bit of research on the forums leads me to consider the two options in the title. About £18 for the K and £24 for the S, both at Wiggle and both for the cartridges with pads so I can just change the pads later.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kool-stop-tectonic-multi-compound-pair-of-brake-blocks/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/swissstop-flash-pro-green-high-performance-blocks/

My reading leads me to go for the S, despite the extra. I'm going to Edinburgh for a few days with the bike and will look for a LBS up there who stocks them.

Any views before I do ?


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[HLaB]

I might have been unlucky but I found the swisstops bad for wear and didn't perform much better than Koolstop. I've also used aztec brakes from a lbs in Edinburgh, less than half the price and just as good IMO and down the line you can put koolstop inserts in them and you are still cheaper.

 

[RhythMick]

I might have been unlucky but I found the swisstops bad for wear and didn't perform much better than Koolstop. I've also used aztec brakes from a lbs in Edinburgh, less than half the price and just as good IMO and down the line you can put koolstop inserts in them and you are still cheaper.

Interesting, might try the Aztecs. Which LBS ?


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[HLaB]

Interesting, might try the Aztecs. Which LBS ?


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Velo Ecosse, in that area you have the Ed bike Co Op and a couple of other shops, its easy to shop around.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

With only 2mm out of 7mm contacting the rim, it's no wonder you've only got 500 miles out of them: that 2mm has been doing the work of the whole brake pad. It also explains why your brakes have been jamming on, with that massive lip on them.

Even £18 is a lot of money for brake pads: I'd try riding with "ordinary" pads that are properly set up before deciding to spend that sort of money.

It isn't safe to ride with them as they are and you should adjust them straight away. Whoever sold you the bike wants a kick up the backside too.

 

[mcshroom]

You need to make sure that the whole pad is contacting the rim. The easiest way I've found to do that is to hold the brakes on with pad flush against the rim (put a piece of thin card behind the back of the pad if you need to toe it in to reduce squeal). Then tighten up while holding the brake on. This should give you a good brake contact

As for your choice, I like koolstops, but I've also found clarks three compound (red-black-grey) pads to be pretty good as well.

 

[RhythMick]

You need to make sure that the whole pad is contacting the rim. The easiest way I've found to do that is to hold the brakes on with pad flush against the rim (put a piece of thin card behind the back of the pad if you need to toe it in to reduce squeal). Then tighten up while holding the brake on. This should give you a good brake contact

As for your choice, I like koolstops, but I've also found clarks three compound (red-black-grey) pads to be pretty good as well.

Thanks. Learning about set up as I go. Its not as bad as I made it sound. 80% of the pad was in contact with the rim. The bit in contact has about 2mm left on the vertical wear groove, its worn deeper. The other part has about 5mm left. I'm sure PX set it up right it will be my bad.

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[RhythMick]

Koolstops fitted and adjusted. Thanks to all here for the tips and learning.

I found a use for some ratcheting clamps I bought a while back at a car boot sale. Hand tighten the pads in place, put card at the back for toe in, clamp the brake on, adjust. Makes it very easy.

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