Cheap brake blocks, worth it or not?

[Psyclist]

Swisstop Green blocks are the best pads I've ever used.

 

[Sittingduck]

I've been using KoolStop Salmons for only three days, and I'm completely underwhelmed by them. £18 for four blocks of rubber that are no better than ones that cost £6. What have I done wrong?

Tektro dual pivot brakes, BTW.

Have you been on a fast downhill yet? That's where I really appreciate the Koolstop salmons - under heavy braking at speed and in the wet too. Difference is very noticable between these and stock Shimano blocks.

 

[slowmotion]

Perhaps they have not bedded in yet? and did you clean your rims before the change over?

I'll clean the rims and see if things improve. Thanks.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i've got the cheapest ones the lbs had on my '51 classic claud butler. a) they look correct for the bike b) they wear out, without damaging the vintage rims. they stop reasonably well too, in concert with leg braking.

 

[PpPete]

The Shimano DA compatible ones from http://www.discobrakes.com/?s=0&t=2& are my current favorite cheapies. Quite effective stopping, not too much rim wear noticeable yet.

 

[Kins]

Just out of interest, whats the proper name for the covers over the brake levers on the bars? If you say brake lever covers I will not be happy!

 

[Sittingduck]

Hoods

 

[Kins]

cheers.

 

[Widge]

I have to say......I recently changed the stock brake blocks on my Triban 3 from the soft rubber they came with to 'Clarks' triple compound cartridge brakes on the recommendation of many (including some articles in the 'Cycling Press')

Clearly...and I hope....there must be some kind of 'bedding-in' process that goes with brake blocks...because so far they are underwhelming. The cheesy stock brakes were far more efficient. But maybe the new ones will improve after a few hundred miles? I've only done about 30 with 'em so far.

The clarks Gold Triple Compound blocks came with a spare pair - which was good, and the cartridge holders are WHITE which may strike you as either Blingtastic or just ODD depending on your point of view. I tend towards the latter at the moment.

Do brake blocks cimprove in efficiency as they bed in? How long does this take!

Coincidently...I used an Evans 25% discount code to invest in a set of Shimano Sora brake calipers because one of mine appears to be cast slightly mis-shapen. Triban 3 brakes are rebadged bottom dollar @tektro@ brakes if you are interested. Not bad as long as everything lines up.
My new Soras came WITH Shimano blocks and at just £15.00 each cost only a few quid more than my pair of Clarks blocks alone, so I may whip these on some time soon and see it they improve the overall braking efficiency of my bike.

I'll let you know?

Best

w

 

[TheDoctor]

Sora brakes with decent blocks are damn good. Used them going down mountains in the past, and never had a scary moment.
Tektro brakes I find deeply underwhelming.

 

[HLaB]

I've tried swisstop and koolstop and although they did stop they wore out too fast Tried BBBs next and they naturally didn't stop quite as well but were half the cost. The last time I was in my lbs was selling xlc tripple compound inserts for half the price again, didn't expect the best but I was strapped for cash and thought I try them out. I was pleasantly surprised maybe not quite as good as swis/koolstop but they are better than BBB. If the lbs back home (400miles away) still sells them when I'm back for a visit, I'll buy some for spares

 

[ColinJ]

I'll clean the rims and see if things improve. Thanks.

I did a couple of extremely scary 20% descents before realising that the dodgy braking was caused by oily deposits on my rims. A good clean soon sorted the problem out.

 

[Chris S]

Does your restoration project have chrome-rimmed wheels? If so get some leather-faced brake pads of ebay, you're bike will actually stop in the wet then. They're cheaper than the ordinary ones from Halfords, even with postage and packing.

 

[numbnuts]

I use Fibrax cheap and cheerful

 

[wisdom]

I like the aztecs on the hybrid.They stop well in all weathers.
I contemplated coolstops ,but with the constant wet weather it eats brake blocks so i will stick with them