Brake pads

[Cuchilo]

Dropped the bike in for a new chain and cassette today and was expecting a £60 bill but the cassette didn't need doing so was just charged £20 for the chain and they checked everything over while it was there
Also got a letter today from the council saying they are resurfacing my road this month so they must have heard I was getting a new bike

 

[User6179]

Considering they cost about £18 for a set, I was distinctly underwhelmed by the performance of Koolstop Salmons. Sorry.

Aye but they have a cool name

Just tried these Shimano ones out in the wet and they are fine.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380745397...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648#ht_1568wt_1255

 

[Kestevan]

Never been impressed with Shimano pads, found that they pick up crud easily and sound like they're grinding away the rims.

I've recently been underwhelmed by Clarkes dual compound blocks.... they just dont have the stopping power of the Koolstop salmon or Swisstop Green on the other bikes.
If the cost of the Koolstop/Swisstop is prohibitive I was very impressed by the Halt Gooey pads I ran, but the do wear quite quickly - probably because they're so soft.

 

[VamP]

It is really simple - Swisstop GHPII pads. Everything else is a compromise. Excellent braking performance in the wet, reduced rim wear (never mind a few quid for new pads, how about new wheels!) and I get about 5000 miles of road use out of them. Sure they're about £20, but cheap pads are just a false economy.

It's a bit more complicated for carbon rims...

 

[HLaB]

What I wouldn't reccomend are Tektro pads; my old ultegra long reach brakes aren't long enough for my new forks (greater mudguard clearance) and the lbs helped me out with stock Tektro brakes, their pads are next to useless in just a wee bit wet however
I found Swisstop and Koolstop (particularly Swisstop) although excellent in stopping wore out too fast.
FWIW, I've liked Aztec the best out of the pads I've had.

 

[fossyant]

Clarkes pads are fine. I get the Shimano compatible ones with replaceable pads. You can get the shoes and and spare pads for about £7. They work well, and I use them on 3 of my road bikes.

 

[Rob3rt]

Swissstop wear quick but they are like deploying a boat anchor if used in a decent caliper. Koolstop, IMO are crap.

 

[Hacienda71]

Clarks Elite £2.99 a pair. Just had a couple of pairs delivered yesterday.

Edit: you do end up buying a load of other tat as well to get the free postage though....