Probabaly the most boring bit of a bike, but help needed please!

[PeteT]

Hi all, the standard brakes on my Scott Speedster are Scott branded - they look like they may possibly be lower-end Tektro or similar. They are the weak spot of the bike, but I can't afford to upgrade them. They don't fill me with any confidence in the wet or going downhill - which is a concern as I'll be doing a very hilly, probably wet event at the end of October.

Would upgrading the blocks actually help very much in this case and, if so, can anyone recommend me something suitable? The blocks appear to be of the cartridge variety. All answers welcomed - thank you.

 

[chris-s]

Potentially changing the blocks will make an improvement, depending on what is already fitted. Usual suggestions are Kool Stop Salmon or Clarks Gold pads.



Chris

 

[Fab Foodie]

Potentially changing the blocks will make an improvement, depending on what is already fitted. Usual suggestions are Kool Stop Salmon or Clarks Gold pads.



Chris

Agreed.

Can't comment on Clarks, but Koolstop Salmons are fabulous and will make a significant improvement particularly in the wet. They'll also preserve your rims too as they are softer.
Opinions vary, but I run Salmons on the front and blacks (harder) on the rear, this allows me to grab even handfuls of brakes with less locking of the rear-wheel.
The front is the most important brake and deserves the best pads.

Change blocks and see how it feels, a apair of Salmons from Wiggle are around £12. A good investment.

 

[tigger]

Hi,

I've got a Scott Speedster with probably the same brakes. I agree they are a massive weak spot. I changed my pads to swiss stop green. I run these on both of my road bikes:

http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14366927602425256021#

They made quite a big difference, kind of acceptable, but the fact is despite their massive industrial appearance the brakes are still a bit crap on the Scott. Change the pads for the short term, they'll be OK

Cheers

Tim

 

[smokeysmoo]

+1 for pads. Also make sure the pads are set up right with a touch of toe-in. The front of the pad needs to hit the rim slightly before the rest of it does

 

[PeteT]

Thanks all - tigger, which Speedster is yours? (Mine is the S30).

 

[Fnaar]

I have Tektro brakes on my roadie... I use Ultegra pads in them... have done so for last 5 years... never any probs

good performance, including going down steep hills with bends in them in the wet.

 

[tigger]

Thanks all - tigger, which Speedster is yours? (Mine is the S30).

Mines and S40, 08 I think

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I brought my kool stops from here

http://www.simpsoncycles.co.uk/product.php/954/kool_stop_continental

tested them out a few days after I fitted them, very impressive, unlike the drivers driving.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I have Tektro brakes on my roadie... I use Ultegra pads in them... have done so for last 5 years... never any probs

good performance, including going down steep hills with bends in them in the wet.

Interesting!
The general consensus is that Ultegra pads are poo.
I had them in Ultegra calipers and then I changed, compared to Koolstop Salmon, they really are poo!

 

[eldudino]

I use the red pads from Disco Brakes http://www.discobrakes.com/?s=0&t=2&c=52&p=283& they're a good price and work very well.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Interesting!
The general consensus is that Ultegra pads are poo.
I had them in Ultegra calipers and then I changed, compared to Koolstop Salmon, they really are poo!

OT, but FWIW so are Ultegra chains.

 

[DCLane]

I've got Tektro R580 calipers and standard Shimano pads which came with the bike.

Braking in the wet is ... erm ... 'interesting'.

Would Kool Stop salmon's help here as well? TIA.

 

[2Loose]

I've got Tektro R580 calipers and standard Shimano pads which came with the bike.

Braking in the wet is ... erm ... 'interesting'.

Would Kool Stop salmon's help here as well? TIA.

Yes, as would pretty much any other decent brake pad. I use Clarks cps240 blocks and compared to the OEM Shimano ones, they are great (as in, they work downhill in the wet).

Koolstops are supposed to be the dogs danglies though.

 

[Fab Foodie]

OT, but FWIW so are Ultegra chains.

That's why I use KMC cheapies ...