Cork Pads on Alloy Rims?

[Jezston]

Bad idea?

Reason I'm asking is that I've been offered a carbon tub wheel for supercheap, but not sure I really fancy road riding on tubs and the associated risks of being stranded, but I'd like to give it a go.

This would mean investing in cork brake pads as the rim is entirely carbon fibre. What happens if I give up on the carbon wheel and go for an alloy rim? Will the pads have to go also?

 

[amaferanga]

You don't need cork pads. In fact most of the non-cork carbon-specific pads will perform better on the carbon rims than cork pads, especially in the wet. Many people recommend regular dura ace pads for carbon rims - not the carbon-specific pads, just the regular ones intended for alloy rims. You could certainly then use those on alloy rims.

Personally I've got on quite well with Pro-Lite carbon-specific pads (not too expensive and work pretty well). The only definite no-no is to use pads that have been used on alloy rims on carbon rims since the little shards of alloy will tear into the carbon rim.