Do Carbon Wheels need carbon pads

[steven1988]

I have just bought my lad some carbon wheels for his cyclocross Bike, but does he need carbon brake pads?

They have a carbon brake surface, they will only be used hor half an hour CX races.

 

[Milkfloat]

Yes - you should use pads specifically for carbon braking surfaces.

These are cheap with great reviews - at least on the road http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-carbon-road-brake-inserts-pack-of-4-1/
These get great reviews from my cyclocross friends - but are significantly more expensive http://www.wiggle.co.uk/swissstop-flash-pro-yellow-carbon-rim-brake-pads

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I have just bought my lad some carbon wheels for his cyclocross Bike, but does he need carbon brake pads?

They have a carbon brake surface, they will only be used hor half an hour CX races.

Yes they do. Carbon wheels generate much more heat than aluminium rims and cannot conduct the heat away. The brake surface gets very hot and standard pads melt and adhere to the rim. Carbon-specific pads don't melt. They go directly to smoke. Melting pads not only fouls the brake surface but they aren't effective at all.

Further, if the "aluminium" pads on that bike are used, they almost certainly have embedded aluminium in them which will scratch the carbon rims.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I don't own carbon wheels but this is certainly a cool thing to learn