New brake pads

[billy1561]

Any recommendations?
Mine are the stock Cube pads and are ok but would like something that gives a bit more confidence when braking hard.
For a road bike.
Thanks.

 

[Davidc]

Look at the Kool Stop range

 

[biggs682]

kool stops for me too

 

[billy1561]

I have obviously heard of kool stops, but which ones? Someone mentioned the green ones i think it was. Anyone tried those?

 

[Rob3rt]

SwissStop. Read the blurb and choose the one that has the attributes you require.

They seem expensive, but note you usually get all 4 pads (but do double check as some only come with 2), rather than just 2 like most other brands so the price evens out!

IME, SwissStop pads vastly out perform Koostop. I have tested both on the same bike at the same time both in training and in racing situations (not on purpose, but because I was in a rush and just put in what I had to hand), Koolstop on the front, SwissStop on the back. Normally the front brake offers the most stopping power, but during this test, the Koolstop on the front almost felt like having no brakes vs the SwissStop on the back.

 

[BSRU]

SwissStops do not generate as much gunk when used in the wet, when compared to KoolStops.

 

[DWiggy]

I've just had a look at the too, looks like

Salmon = soft compound
Green = carbon rims
Black = Standard

got this from questions on Wiggles site so not sure if completely correct :/

 

[BSRU]

I've just had a look at the too, looks like

Salmon = soft compound
Green = carbon rims
Black = Standard

got this from questions on Wiggles site so not sure if completely correct :/

Generally salmon is for wet conditions, black for dry.

 

[Davidc]

I have obviously heard of kool stops, but which ones? Someone mentioned the green ones i think it was. Anyone tried those?

Whether Kool or Swiss Stops (Both good brands with excellent products) you need to look at the descriptions and find the right ones for your bike and your use.

Firstly what sort of brakes (Caliper, Cantilever, Linear Pull (V)), then what rims do you have, do you ride in the wet or just on fine days.

The descriptions on the online companies' web sites are good, and the manufacturers' web sites will also guide you through.

I'm sure if you put the information on here someone will link you to the right brake pads for your use! FWIW I use different ones front and back because of the different job they're doing.

From my experience over the past decade or so both of these brands of brakes work very well, much better than any others I've tried, and the change is especially noticeable moving from the ones supplied as originals.

 

[PpPete]

Generally salmon is for wet conditions, black for dry.

They also do a "dual-compound" one, the idea being the harder black compound sweeps any crap off the rim and then the salmon gives you the maximum braking even if the rim is still wet. I've used those on my tourer (canti brake version) and they are very good. Not tried the road bike version, as I've been using much cheaper (but still pretty effective) pads from disco brakes

 

[BSRU]

They also do a "dual-compound" one, the idea being the harder black compound sweeps any crap off the rim and then the salmon gives you the maximum braking even if the rim is still wet. I've used those on my tourer (canti brake version) and they are very good. Not tried the road bike version, as I've been using much cheaper (but still pretty effective) pads from disco brakes

I think it is the other way round, the salmon dry/clean the rim then the black can get on with the braking, based on they are just half of a normal salmon and half of a normal black pad.

 

[billy1561]

Whether Kool or Swiss Stops (Both good brands with excellent products) you need to look at the descriptions and find the right ones for your bike and your use.

Firstly what sort of brakes (Caliper, Cantilever, Linear Pull (V)), then what rims do you have, do you ride in the wet or just on fine days.

The descriptions on the online companies' web sites are good, and the manufacturers' web sites will also guide you through.

I'm sure if you put the information on here someone will link you to the right brake pads for your use! FWIW I use different ones front and back because of the different job they're doing.

From my experience over the past decade or so both of these brands of brakes work very well, much better than any others I've tried, and the change is especially noticeable moving from the ones supplied as originals.

Good info thanks mate!
I have DT Swiss RA 2.0 wheels with FSA energy brakes. I use the bike in all weathers.
Thanks again.

 

[SlipperySquid]

I use Swissstop flash pro green and they vastly outperform the standard shimano 105 pads in the dry and they are even better in the wet! The difference in the wet was amazing!

 

[billy1561]

I use Swissstop flash pro green and they vastly outperform the standard shimano 105 pads in the dry and they are even better in the wet! The difference in the wet was amazing!

I think they are the ones i had read about. Around £20-£25?

 

[Sillyoldman]

I tried some Kool Stops on some underwhelming cantis and boy they improved things. However still was not completely happy and after a twitchy bottom moment I decided to take a punt on some Avid Shorty Ultimate cantis. As an aside, although the Kool Stops were good I never got them to not squeal a bit despite messing about with toe in angles. With that in mind, I decided to try SwissStop Flashpro II greens on the Avids and have never looked back. As others have said both these brands are well regarded but the silent operation of the SwissStops swings it for me and they will what I use from now on (at the current rate of wear I don't think I will be changing them for a long time though).