Brake Pads!

[bikeman66]

This may seem like a dumb question, but will any cartridge type brake pads fit any make of calipers? My Felt F95 has cartridge type pads, with the tiny grub screw to secure them in position. The calipers are supposed to be Felt branded, but probably came out of the Tektro factory. Although the pads don't need replacing just yet I thought I'd order a couple of sets for when they do.

If any of you guys could advise me whether any brand of pad will fit, or whether something specific is required I would appreciate it, thanks.

After years of running mountain bikes, with V-brakes and discs, I got to know which brands of pads worked best and gave good service life, and the ones that didn't make a racket like a screaming banshee every time. I hit the brake lever. My experience of road bikes and their components is still fairly limited, so any advice on brands and pad compounds would also be gratefully received. Thanks people.

 

[fossyant]

Clarkes Shimano compatible

 

[Globalti]

Clarkes? The budget end of the market I think; I didn't get on with them as the compound is too hard. There are loads of online sellers and yes, anything like this will work fine:

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

(These Swisstop pads are not cheap but are generally well-regarded.)

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

+1 for the above

Excellent stopping power in all weather and last very well. got 7,500km out of the first set and current set are well over 5,000km and still going strong.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Aztec Road System Plus for me - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/aztec/road-insert-plus-brake-pads-ec022799#BVRRWidgetID

 

[fossyant]

I find Clarkes pads absolutely fine, no issues in stopping in all weathers. The road ones are a relatively soft compound and stop well in all conditions.

Might try swissstop some time.

I'm actually using Dura Ace pads at the minute and don't notice any difference from the Clarkes

 

[bikeman66]

Clarkes? The budget end of the market I think; I didn't get on with them as the compound is too hard. There are loads of online sellers and yes, anything like this will work fine:

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

(These Swisstop pads are not cheap but are generally well-regarded.)

Excellent, thanks Globalti. Possibly an even dumber question......... it says in the advert you provided the link to that they are despatched in two pairs, which pretty much sounds to me like you get four pads! Is this correct? If it is then the £20 price tag doesn't sound horrific. In all honesty, I'll probably give them a shot even if they're £20 for a pair. Thanks for the advice.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Yes you get 4 pads.

 

[Globalti]

Damn good price, get me some will you?

 

[Globalti]

Oh all right dammit, I've just ordered some...

My advice: find an old toothbrush and clean the pads after wet rides to remove that nasty grey paste, take them out and de-glaze them with sandpaper then you'll see the bits of trapped grit shining so pick those out with the point of a Stanley knife blade. Then run a cloth around the rims to get the braking surfaces really clean - you'll be surprised at what comes off.

Then start saving for a bike with disc brakes.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Also look at kool stop pads

 

[bikeman66]

Oh all right dammit, I've just ordered some...

My advice: find an old toothbrush and clean the pads after wet rides to remove that nasty grey paste, take them out and de-glaze them with sandpaper then you'll see the bits of trapped grit shining so pick those out with the point of a Stanley knife blade. Then run a cloth around the rims to get the braking surfaces really clean - you'll be surprised at what comes off.

Then start saving for a bike with disc brakes.

Been there, done that with my old mountain bike pads Globalti. My first choice MTB has disc brakes and they are a real revelation in the mud and grime. No slimy muddy grinding paste wearing the rims away, and the ability to pop one fingered stoppies. I know discs are going to be the next big thing on road bikes, but I just can't get enthusiastic about them. People seem to say rim brakes are not much cop, but the brakes on my bike would stop you on a sixpence. Fair enough, discs will save expensive rims, but to my mind they look ugly on road bikes. I guess I'm just a technophobic Luddite though, as it took me years to convert to clipless pedals, suspension forks etc.

 

[Globalti]

I'm the same and since I seldom ride my best bike in the wet it's not a big issue like it was with mountain bike rims. I remember once riding in snow and ice built up on my brakes; there must have been a sharp piece of grit trapped in the ice because I heard a horrible grinding nose and within about a minute a deep gouge had been cut in the rim, which was ruined. XTR V brakes were fantastic in the dry but you could wear out a set of pads in a wet weekend, especially on a competitive ride like a Polaris trailquest, carrying panniers. Disc brakes couldn't come soon enough for me off-road, I've still got the orignal Hope Minis on my full rigid mountain bike and I've got cable discs on the CX (multipurpose) bike and they're pretty good so I'm looking forward to having some nice dinky little hydraulic discs on my next roadie.

 

[400bhp]

Might try swissstop some time.

I'm actua

Don't bother. Emperor's new clothes.

 

[derrick]

These. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/swissstop-flash-pro-black-brake-compound-pads/
Have recently fitted these and are great, They work well in the wet, have a nice feel to them.