More about Brakes

[Lazy-Commuter]

So as mentioned on other threads, I've put some Kool Stop Salmons on and like them so far, after 3 days / 40 miles use. I used these for ease this time around, but would like to go to a holder / replaceable cartridge type setup in future for reasons of economy; I know it's only a few quid but I can see I'm going to go through quite a few blocks and every little helps.

Anyway, Wiggle have the Kool Stop "Tectonic" system blocks, which comes with inserts, and also have the inserts for them, but I was wondering if the Kool Stop standard inserts would also fit in those holders or if I need a different set of holders.

Or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Much confusion over here.

Edit: Of course, the things actually working well is more important than saving a few pennies here or there. I was just wondering about the relative merits of the tectonic setup vs the "standard" one.

 

[fossyant]

They are a standard size - the techtonic one has the removable cap which may help pad removal and inserting - how much better it is at stopping - I don't know. All the refills (various makes) I've bought so far for my pads have fitted my Clarks 'holders' !

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Excellent. Thanks fossyant. I thought a standard size would be too much to hope for .. glad to be proved wrong.

 

[k turner]

Why so many different ones? Which one is the standard one for all weather, as they say they are for different weather as well?

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Why so many different ones? Which one is the standard one for all weather, as they say they are for different weather as well?

The Salmon ones are softer so I guess should be expected to be grippier and are probably better suited to the wet. Being softer, they're probably also kinder to your wheel rims, but I imagine the trade-off for that is that the blocks don't last as long.

This is my first set of Salmon ones so I've no idea how long they will last .. I got ~450 miles out of my last set of cheapy ones, (much) more out of the ones that came with the bike but then I ran those for too long and so fritzed a wheel rim.

Depending on how I get on with these, I might try some of the multi-compound ones: I suppose the idea there is that you've got a soft grippy bit to give you some stopping power but a harder bit to control the wear. I'm not sure how that will work .. presumably the harder bit will prevent the softer bit from squishing into the rim as much as it would if it were all soft so I'm guessing it won't be as grippy as a fully soft set. Complications.