I have to say......I recently changed the stock brake blocks on my Triban 3 from the soft rubber they came with to 'Clarks' triple compound cartridge brakes on the recommendation of many (including some articles in the 'Cycling Press')
Clearly...and I hope....there must be some kind of 'bedding-in' process that goes with brake blocks...because so far they are underwhelming. The cheesy stock brakes were far more efficient. But maybe the new ones will improve after a few hundred miles? I've only done about 30 with 'em so far.
The clarks Gold Triple Compound blocks came with a spare pair - which was good, and the cartridge holders are WHITE which may strike you as either Blingtastic or just ODD depending on your point of view. I tend towards the latter at the moment.
Do brake blocks cimprove in efficiency as they bed in? How long does this take!
Coincidently...I used an
Evans 25% discount code to invest in a set of Shimano Sora brake calipers because one of mine appears to be cast slightly mis-shapen. Triban 3 brakes are rebadged bottom dollar @tektro@ brakes if you are interested. Not bad as long as everything lines up.
My new Soras came WITH Shimano blocks and at just £15.00 each cost only a few quid more than my pair of Clarks blocks alone, so I may whip these on some time soon and see it they improve the overall braking efficiency of my bike.
I'll let you know?
Best
w